According to the City of Falls Church’s public information office this morning, crews are responding to reports of a few downed trees and inoperable traffic lights this morning but so far no injuries, flooding or catastrophic damage from Hurricane Irene has been reported. Water service was not interrupted. According to Dominion Virginia Power, about 3,000 customers are currently without power in the City.
Residents who had power early this morning could still lose power later today due to continuing high wind gusts. To report power outages, call Dominion Virginia Power at 1-866-366-4357. For other storm-related inquiries call the City’s Storm Information Line, 703-248-5200 (TTY 711), which will be answered by a City staff member this morning. When not answered by staff, the phone line will carry recorded information. City staff from police, emergency management, public utilities, public works, urban forestry and others worked through the night to keep residents and employees safe, to keep streets open and to maintain City services, especially water.
This morning traffic lights are not working at several City intersections and drivers are asked to proceed with caution and to obey temporary Stop signs that have been posted. City staff has been working to remove downed trees on Great Falls, Fowler, Pennsylvania and Cameron streets. To report a downed tree call the non-emergency police line at 703-248-5053. Call 911 only for emergencies.
The Falls Church Community Center and Mary Riley Styles Public Library are expected to open on time today, but visitors may want to call ahead in the event power is lost and the buildings have to close.
A list of emergency contact numbers is available on the City web site www.fallschurchva.gov along with other emergency information and updates about City services. Weather emergency information is also posted on the City’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofFallsChurch and FCC-TV (Cox channel 12, Verizon channel 35, RCN channel 2).
