AGENDA DATE: 4/6/2022
TITLE:
Title
January 2022 Winter Storm After Action Review
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Report summarizing findings of the after-action review
ITEM TYPE: Consent Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Eggleston, Oprandy
PRESENTER (S): Oprandy
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: On January 3rd, 2022, Albemarle County was impacted by a significant snowstorm that produced approximately 6 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow throughout the region accompanied by high winds. The heavy, wet snow acted more like a thick ice coating, clinging to power lines and tree limbs, weighing them down considerably. The extra weight, coupled with the high winds, brought trees and power lines down in the region by the thousands. Within the first 24 hours of the storm, 70% of customers (residents and businesses) in Albemarle lost power. 72 hours later, nearly 40% of customers were still without power. The wide-spread impacts of the storm, inconsistent data from power companies, and telecommunication gaps in service limited reliable information.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission - To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all community members through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: In the aftermath of the storm, the County Incident Management Team (IMT) worked both internally and at a regional level (City of Charlottesville and University of Virginia) to provide public information, stand up warming and charging centers, provide access to water, answer questions from the public, and guide residents to necessary resources and services. Ultimately on Monday, January 10th, County staff conducted a search and rescue-style welfare check on residents presumed to be still without power one week after the storm. In addition to what was considered a very significant event, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic added challenges. At the time of the storm, the County was under a declared state of emergency due to the pandemic. CDC recommendations and County protocols evaluating the impacts and risks to community and staff health and safety influenced many IMT decisions. The County’s depth of staff was also impacted by COVID since many essential personnel were out sick or quarantined due to the virus.
The Incident After Action Report (Attachment A) collects the observations of those involved in the County’s response and recovery operations. Numerous observations for improvement are made in the report and a team of County Staff will assemble in April to determine final recommendations for a plan of improvement. This plan, which will be available in June, will include recommended actions, an assignment of priority, assignment of responsibility, and a projected completion or implementation date. Recommendations will be reviewed and decided upon based on criteria such as overall impact, time to completion, Board priorities, availability of existing resources, and whether additional resources will be necessary for implementation.
BUDGET IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Receive the January 3rd & 16th Snowstorms Incident After-Action Report.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - January 3rd & 16th Snowstorms Incident After-Action Report