Hampshire County Homeland Security & Emergency Mgmt - WV

03/16/2026

Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-
Jefferson-Hardy-Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-
Eastern Pendleton-

409 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
..WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and western Maryland, northwest and western Virginia, and eastern and panhandle West Virginia.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM EDT this evening. A sudden onset of strong
winds are expected behind the cold front this evening.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Be prepared for a sudden onset
of strong winds this evening.

03/11/2026

545 PM EDT Wed Mar 11 2026

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northeastern Shenandoah County in northwestern Virginia...
Central Frederick County in northwestern Virginia...
Northern Clarke County in northwestern Virginia...
The City of Wi******er in northwestern Virginia...
Southeastern Hampshire County in eastern West Virginia...

* Until 615 PM EDT.

* At 545 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Star Tanner, or 11 miles north of Strasburg, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as
damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible.
Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.

* Locations impacted include...
Wi******er, Millwood Pike, Berryville, Star Tannery, Bruce Town, Yellow Spring, Gravel Springs, Greenwood, High View Manor, Wilde Acres, Cedar Grove, Ga***rd, Clear Brook, Stephenson, Wadesville, Cedar Hill, Rock Enon Springs, Albin, Capon Springs, and
Stringtown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service
office in Sterling Virginia.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for Northwestern Virginia... and eastern and the Panhandle of West Virginia.

03/11/2026

03/11/2026 @ 1:46pm - TORNADO WATCH - includes Hampshire Co, WV

(posting the Watch because of the widespread area of potential - stay alert and watch for updates or warnings if they are issued)

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 45 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES

IN NORTH CENTRAL MARYLAND

WASHINGTON

IN WESTERN MARYLAND

ALLEGANY GARRETT

IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 5 COUNTIES

IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA

CITY OF WI******ER
CLARKE FREDERICK
SHENANDOAH WARREN

IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 7 COUNTIES

IN EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA

GRANT HAMPSHIRE
HARDY MINERAL

IN PANHANDLE WEST VIRGINIA

BERKELEY JEFFERSON
MORGAN

03/07/2026

📡 Looking for a way to help your community during emergencies — without the physical demands of field response?

Consider becoming a licensed Amateur (HAM) Radio Operator.

When disasters overwhelm normal communications—cell networks, internet, and even landlines—amateur radio operators often become the link that keeps critical information moving. During major disasters, including hurricanes and widespread outages, HAM operators have helped relay lifesaving messages when every other system failed.

Sometimes the most important message isn’t dramatic.
It’s simply telling someone:

✔️ “Help is on the way.”
✔️ “We hear you.”
✔️ “Your loved one is safe.”

Those moments matter.

Hampshire County is hosting a free Amateur Radio Technician License training course this March. This is a great opportunity for community members, volunteers, and anyone interested in emergency preparedness to gain a valuable skill that supports emergency services and disaster response.

📍 Location: Hampshire County EOC / 911 Center
📅 Dates: Sundays – March 8, 15, 22 & 29
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM (2–3 hours)

See the flyer below for details on how to register.

Prepared communities are resilient communities.
Consider joining the network that helps keep communications alive when it matters most.

03/01/2026

commerce.wv.gov/wv-spring-fire-season-burning-restrictions-return-march-1-5/amp/ https://share.google/nzqrFjCDqMc4PfT9Z

01/25/2026

Warming Shelters on Standby – Limited Use for High-Risk Situations

Due to sudden power outages and ongoing dangerous cold, Hampshire County has warming shelters on standby for residents with no other safe options.

Please contact us if you or a household member are at high risk, with no alternative safe locations. High risk considerations include:
• Symptoms of hypothermia (confusion, uncontrollable shivering, slurred speech, extreme fatigue). If anyone in a family experiences this, call 911 immediately.
• Older adults, infants, or young children unable to tolerate prolonged cold
• Individuals with medical conditions, mobility limitations, or equipment dependent on power
• Homes without heat and no alternate safe place to stay

📞 Call 304-822-6000 if you meet these criteria and need assistance.

These shelters are intended for residents who cannot safely remain in their homes. If you have heat, a generator, or another safe place to stay, please continue to shelter in place.

Please continue checking on neighbors who may be vulnerable.

Protect yourself and your loved ones during and after a winter storm.

01/25/2026

☃️❄️Winter Conditions Update: Community Caution Is Making a Difference🚗🚗

As our crews begin damage assessments and road surveys, we have noticed anlmost no one on the road! almost every vehicle we pass is a state vehicle, responder vehicle, or plowing. You guys are making great choices and saving lives hunkering down. At this time we are not demobilizing storm operations. Roads are still deteriorating quickly: surfaces are icing over, and in many areas conditions return to ice and snow within 30 minutes of plowing.
We’re also seeing loss of traction in our response vehicles, which tells us conditions remain hazardous even for trained operators. Please slow down, give road crews space, and check in on neighbors who may need help getting through the night.
The Potomac may appear frozen, but cold water removes heat fast — a slide into it would turn dangerous in seconds. Winter is still very much in charge today.

01/23/2026

Behind every storm response is preparation most people never see.

Our teams spent time today reviewing equipment, refining skills, and planning for potential community needs — all so that when conditions worsen, we’re ready to respond quickly, safely, and effectively.

Prepared. Trained. Ready. 🚑❄️

01/22/2026

🚫 Informal Burn Advisory 🚫

Even though it’s cold outside, today is not a smart day to burn.

We’re seeing low humidity and gusty winds, which means fires can spread quickly, especially once they get into the woods. Cold air does not cancel out fire behavior. Dry air + wind still equals trouble.

We’re asking residents to hold off on burning today:
Brush fires can escape control faster than expected
Fires are spreading into wooded areas

If we need water for firefighting, cold temperatures mean frozen lines and delayed access

Cold doesn’t mean “safe to burn.”
It just means it’s cold… and water freezes when we need it most.

Please help us keep crews available for real emergencies and avoid turning a small burn into a bigger problem. We appreciate everyone doing their part to keep Hampshire County safe.

🔥❄️🚒

01/21/2026

Winter weather is increasingly likely this weekend, with very cold temperatures and the potential for snow and ice across our region. While exact details are still being refined, these next two days are the right time to prepare.

Preparation doesn’t mean panic; it means planning ahead so you’re not scrambling later.

Here’s how you can get ready:

Stay informed
• Sign up for local emergency alerts so you receive timely updates as conditions change:
📲https://HampshireCountyWVAlerts.app.regroup.com/contacts/sign_up

Plan for winter conditions
• Review winter weather preparedness guidance from Ready.gov, including power outages, cold safety, travel considerations, and home preparedness:
☃ https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather

• Access accessible winter weather education from the National Weather Service, including ASL-interpreted and captioned videos designed for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community:
🏫 https://www.weather.gov/wrn/dhh-safety

Prepare your household✅
• Check heating systems, fuel supplies, and insulation
• Use generators and space heaters safely—never indoors or near windows or doors
• Stock medications, food, water, and pet supplies for several days
• Limit unnecessary travel during winter weather and extreme cold

Help us plan for the community
• Complete the Emergency Assistance & Access Needs Survey if you or someone in your household may need additional support during emergencies (medical equipment dependency, mobility needs, transportation barriers, etc.):
♿ https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7d448371f5004a328bca1ab2b288e0d7

This survey helps us plan, prioritize resources, and consider shelter and outreach needs so we don’t overlook neighbors who may need assistance.

If any community warming shelter needs arise, please contact Hampshire County's non-emergency line at 304-822-6000, which is manned 24/7, so we can help coordinate resources.

Finally, take a moment to check on neighbors, friends, and family, especially those who live alone or may be more affected by cold weather.

Prepared communities weather storms better—especially when we look out for one another.

12/26/2025

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 11 PM EST FRIDAY...

For Winter Travel Tips visit AAA :
https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet
accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations around one
tenth of an inch, with closer to a trace to a few hundredths of an
inch near U.S. 50.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and western Maryland, northwest
Virginia, and eastern panhandle West Virginia.

* WHEN...From 10 AM to 11 PM EST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
conditions could impact the Friday evening commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Precipitation is likely to overspread the
area late Friday morning in the form of sleet or freezing rain.
Freezing rain with some sleet mixing in will continue through the
afternoon and evening. Through the day, temperatures are expected
to remain close to 32 degrees before warming above freezing during
the overnight hours.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road
conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

For Winter Travel Tips visit AAA :
https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/