Russell County, Virginia, Emergency Management

03/30/2026

03/30/2026

THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE HAS ISSUED A SENIOR ALERT ON BEHALF OF THE RUSSELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON MARCH, 30 2026 AT 1230 HOURS.
THE RUSSELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR LINDA GAIL ELSWICK, RACE: WHITE, S*X: FEMALE, AGE: 76 YEARS OLD, HEIGHT: 5'3", WEIGHT: 160 lbs., WITH BLUE EYES, AND WHITE HAIR. SHE WAS LAST SEEN ON MARCH 29, 2026, AT 1300 HOURS AT THE CORNERSTONE TABERNACLE ON OLD KENTUCKY TURNPIKE IN CEDAR BLUFF. SHE IS WEARING AN UNKNOWN DESCRIPTION OF CLOTHING. SHE IS POSSIBLY DRIVING A BROWN 2011 CADILLAC SRX WITH VA PLATES: VLR9810.
THE MISSING SENIOR SUFFERS FROM A COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND THE DISAPPEARANCE POSES A CREDIBLE THREAT TO THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY AS DETERMINED BY THE INVESTIGATING AGENCY.
PLEASE CONTACT THE RUSSELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE [24/7 DISPATCH] WITH ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR WHEREABOUTS AT (276) 889-8033.

03/16/2026

With the high winds early this morning, power companies are reporting power lines were downed in Castlewoord, Grassy Creek and Dante causing power outages. Stay away from downed power lines by always assuming any lines are energized and call the sheriff’s office at (276) 889-8033, immediately to report location.

Old Dominion Power (ODP) Company is reporting a 3-phase line is down in Castlewood with 1,288 customers without power. Appalachian Power (AEP) Company is reporting 156 customers in the Grassy Creek area and 336 in the Dante Community are without power. ODP is assessing the damages and has not estimated the time the power will be restored. AEP has estimated the time restore power in the Dante area at approximated 6 pm and 11 pm in the Grassy Creek area.

Due to the power outages and the forecast for inclement weather conditions through Monday night into Tuesday afternoon, the Chief at Copper Creek Moccasin Volunteer Fire Department, 8195 South 71, Castlewood, VA 24224, Phone: (276) 794-7773 or call the Russell County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 889-8033, has opened for anyone that doesn’t have power in the Castlewood, Dante, and Grassy Creek areas to have a warm place to stay until the power comes back on.

03/16/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory now until 2 am on Tuesday. Snow mixed with rain is expected to turn into moderate snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches.

03/10/2026

The National Weather Service, Morristown, TN, is forecasting rain showers and storms for Wednesday into Wednesday night with heavy rain and damaging winds.
Please see the attached image for more information.

02/05/2026

The National Weather Service, Morristown, (NWS) has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for a small clipper system cross the area noon tomorrow into Saturday morning and bring additional snowfall.

February 6, 2026
Snow will begin around noon with up to 1 to 6 inches of new snowfall.

February 7, 2026
Snow showers likely to end before daybreak with temperatures from 1° to -5° Saturday morning, with wind chill temperatures in single digits.

Please see the attached NWS Graphics:

01/29/2026

The National Weather Service, Morristown, (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm WARNING and a Cold Weather Advisory. NWS is forecasting temperatures near 13°F in the higher terrain Friday night with a 90% probability of 2 to 3 inches snowfall with an approximate total 3 to 6 inches expected. Snowfall is expected to start before noon on Friday. Temperatures are not expected to be above freezing until midday Tuesday, February 2, 2026.

Friday, January 30, 2026
Snow showers begin before noon with heavy impacts starting in the afternoon hours. Snow intensity increases during the overnight hours and travel conditions worsen through the night.

Saturday, January 31, 2026
Snow continues through Saturday night. Poor travel conditions expected through the day and overnight across southwest Virginia. Blowing and drifting snow, due to gusty winds, is likely in the higher elevations. Wind Chills will be below zero in the mountains.

Sunday, February 1, 2026
Poor travel conditions continue into Sunday. Blowing and drifting snow, due to gusty winds, is likely to continue in the higher elevations. Cold air remains in place. Wind Chills will be below zero in the mountains.

Please see the attached NWS Graphics:

01/28/2026

The National Weather Service, Morristown, is forecasting another round of cold air returning this weekend with wind chills near -15°F in the higher terrain and 48% probability of snowfall greater than 4 inches through Saturday.

Friday, January 30, 2026
Light snow showers move in on Friday. Little to no impacts during the daytime hours. Snow intensity increases during the overnight hours and travel conditions worsen through the night.

Saturday, January 31, 2026
Snow continues through Saturday night. Poor travel conditions expected through the day and overnight across southwest VA. Blowing and drifting snow, due to gusty winds, is likely in the higher elevations. Wind Chills below zero in the mountains.

Sunday, February 1, 2026
Poor travel conditions continue into Sunday. Blowing and drifting snow, due to gusty winds, is likely to continue in the higher elevations. Cold air remains in place. Wind Chills below zero in the mountains.

Please see graphics for details:

01/23/2026

Update 1-23-2026, 15:00: The National Weather Service, Morristown, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.) through Saturday afternoon (7 p.m.) with a wintry mix of 2 to 3 inches of snow and up to 0.5 inches of ice.

Snow is expected in two events: the first main event on Saturday, is forecasted to start around 12 p.m., before transitioning to sleet and freezing rain from Saturday night about 6 p.m. until Sunday morning about 6 a.m. with up to 0.5 inches of ice, then transitioning to rain by 9 a.m. on Sunday. On Monday morning, 12 a.m., a second event is forecasted to start with a wintry mix and then transitioning to snow by 3 a.m. through 12 p.m. on Monday.

Travel could become nearly impossible.

Please prepare for this winter storm with forecasts of snow, ice, and prolonged freezing temperatures that may impact travel and power outages. See graphics for details:

01/23/2026

The National Weather Service, Morristown, has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Saturday morning (12 p.m.) through Monday afternoon (12 p.m.) with a wintry mix of 2 to 6 inches of snow and up to 0.24 inches of ice. Snow is expected in two events: the first on Saturday, starting around noon, before transitioning to sleet and freezing rain from Saturday afternoon into Saturday night. A second event of snow may start around 6 a.m. on Monday and end around 12 p.m.

Ice and snow accumulations will determine hazardous travel and potential power outage impacts with prolonged below-freezing temperatures until Monday, February 2, 2026, slowing the snow/ice melt. Beginning Friday, January 23, 2026, temperatures are expected to drop in Southwest Virginia to below freezing, warm up Sunday afternoon, and then fall below freezing on Monday, 6 a.m., and then drop below freezing temperatures continuing through Monday, February 02, 2026.

Please prepare for this winter storm with forecasts of snow, ice, and prolonged freezing temperatures that may impact travel and power outages. See graphics for details:

01/21/2026

The National Weather Service, Morristown, conference call is projecting a significant winter storm for Southwest Virginia starting Saturday about 1 pm and continuing until Sunday about 1 pm. Winter Storm will bring rain, freezing rain (33% probability of freezing rain > 0.25 inches), sleet, and snow of greater than 6 inches (49% probability of snow > 6 inches and 30% probability of snow > 10 inches) that will determine travel and power outage impacts with prolonged temperatures below freezing for a week that will slow snow/ice melt. Beginning Friday, January 23, 2026, temperatures are expected to drop in Southwest Virginia below freezing 32°F and stay below freezing through next Saturday, January 31, 2026. Please prepare for winter storm impacts to travel and power outages. See graphics for details: