(Updated at 7:35 p.m.) Friday’s wind storm has taken a toll on Arlington, sending trees toppling onto cars, houses and across roads, and knocking out power to tens of thousands.
As of 7:30 p.m., Dominion reported 14,663 customers without power in Arlington. An hour earlier, it appeared that the numbers were finally dropping, but thanks to continued strong winds it has, in fact, gone up.
A Dominion outage map showed that a large swath of residential North Arlington and a significant portion of the Fairlington neighborhood was without power as the sun started to set.
Across the D.C. region, nearly 600,000 were in the dark as of early evening.
Arlington County Police say they’ve responded to more than 250 calls for service since this morning, including 66 calls for trees down.
Since 7 AM, our dedicated officers have responded to over 250 calls for service. Those calls include the following related to the storm:
Trees down = 66
Traffic signal outages = 17
Traffic issues = 53— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) March 3, 2018
To help with the cleanup, which is expected to take at least a few days, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency.
“The order is designed to help Virginia mitigate any damage caused by high winds and to streamline the process that the Commonwealth uses to provide assistance to communities impacted,” the governor’s office said in a statement.
A High Wind Warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. Gusty winds are expected to continue overnight as the nor’easter makes its way north and pummels New England.
The National Weather Service says it clocked a wind gust of 71 miles per hour at Dulles International Airport earlier today. NWS is urging those in the D.C. area to remain vigilant as the winds continue to gust.
Widespread power outages are occurring. Travel is dangerous, especially for high profile vehicles, and motorists need to be aware of rapidly changing road conditions due to the potential of downed trees and power lines. Pedestrians will face very hazardous conditions, and need to be aware of wind-borne projectiles. People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your homes during the windstorm, and avoid windows. If you use a portable generator, follow manufacturer’s instructions and do not use inside homes, garages, or apartments.
More local weather impacts via social media, after the jump.
Big tree down 1224 N Meade tangled in utility lines. Arlington above Iwo Jima. @ARLnowDOTcom @WTOP @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/URKf75LtIc
— Warren Dahlstrom (@wdahlstrom) March 2, 2018
#Windmageddon damage pics from around @ArlingtonVA. These pictures are coming in from all over the county. This #BombCyclone is no #BombShell! Stay indoors and never approach downed power lines. pic.twitter.com/oUVCDQEJyg
— Arlington Fire (@ArlingtonVaFD) March 2, 2018
This is sad to see…another victim of the #NorEaster. 😞 😢 #Virginia #weather pic.twitter.com/5xORM1vl7e
— Jose B. Collazo (@josebcollazo) March 2, 2018
Downed tree near tennis courts and pool in North Fairlington. These winds are no joke. @capitalweather @WTOP @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/pG4SwkFVjS
— Mimi Yeh (@MeemersVa) March 2, 2018
Downed power line at 19th St S and S Quincy @ArlingtonVA @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/Lm4FVf7aZC
— Megan Lynch (@MrsMeganLynch) March 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/ArlingtonVaFD/status/969703660052762625
3:15p: These winds are absolutely relentless & STILL gusting to 60 mph in the DMV. National Airport had its highest sustained wind yet at 3p, 44 mph – which is tropical-storm force, with gusts to 59 mph. This is why we trees keep tumbling down. More info: https://t.co/4N8WAR7XIW
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) March 2, 2018
Check out the wind blowing this plane as it takes off at DCA pic.twitter.com/yiIFS06T2e
— Matt Ackland (@mattacklandfox5) March 2, 2018
Tree down at Van Buren and 11th St N causing power lines to arc.⚡️ #Windmageddon pic.twitter.com/2VxoKSAeek
— Arlington Fire (@ArlingtonVaFD) March 2, 2018
