COVID cases & temperatures rising, Monday thunderstorms possible

Shortly after 4 p.m. Monday afternoon, August 9, Warren County Emergency Services Coordinator Rick Farrall issued a COVID-19, weather and roadwork update. And while slow-moving and potentially severe thunderstorms forecast for late afternoon or early evening were of immediate interest, as well as the forecast end of road-blocking work along Happy Creek Road within two weeks, of more long-term interest was an upsurge in COVID-19 cases impacted at least in part by the more volatile Delta variant strain. See Farrall’s update in its entirety below, including an uptick in Warren County’s 7-day average of newly reported Coronavirus cases, which has reached 30 “and rising”. And keep an eye on that heat index through the rest of the week – stay hydrated if you’re outside.

1. COVID-19. As you all are aware, the number of COVID-19 cases is globally on the rise. 

1.  7-Day Average of New Daily Cases of COVID-19. This average is related to the Level of Community Transmission of COVID-19, and is measured in terms of Low (up to 10 cases), Moderate (10-49 cases), Substantial (50-99 cases), and High (100-plus cases).
2. As of today, the County’s 7-Day Average of New Daily Cases of COVID-19 is 30.0 (and rising), and is considered “Moderate” (by comparison, the State average is 19.1, and is also considered “Moderate”).
3. Accordingly, the County will be updating its COVID-related policies in the near future.
4. Recommend all County/Town citizens, employees, and employers reinforce basic public health preventative measures, as appropriate.

2. Hazardous Weather (as of 12:12 PM EDT Mon Aug 9, 2021).

1. DAY ONE (Today and Tonight). A slow-moving thunderstorm is possible this afternoon and early evening, which could lead to an isolated instance of flooding.  A severe storm capable of producing damaging wind gusts is possible as well this afternoon and early evening.
2. DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN (Tuesday through Sunday). Heat index values of 100 to 105 are possible during the afternoon hours Wednesday through Saturday, especially near and east of Interstate 81. Isolated severe storms along with isolated instances of flash flooding are possible during the afternoon and evening hours Wednesday through Saturday.

3. Happy Creek Road Closure.

1. Road Work. The contractor is completing paving, shoulder, road marking, and guard rail work.
2. Norfolk Southern. The railroad relocated the crossing arms, and needs to complete the portion of paving between and just adjacent to the tracks.
3. VDOT. VDOT is optimistic the project will be completed in the next two weeks, weather permitting.

(From a Warren County Emergency Services release)