Washington County Department of Public Safety

What: Winter storm Wednesday and Wednesday night What's Changed: Confidence has increased with respect to snowfall accumulation amounts, prompting the expansion of the Winter Storm Warning westward. An Advisory has also been issued to support accumulating snowfall across far western and northern portions of the forecast area. A window of freezing rain is expected across southeastern portions of the forecast area in WV Wednesday before transitioning back to snow. ... Heaviest snowfall accumulation potential exists late Wednesday afternoon and evening, which will impact the evening commute. When: 7am Wednesday until 7am Thursday. Where: The winter storm will impact the entire forecast area. Please see attached graphics for headline information. Timing: Snow will begin to spread northward across the region Wednesday morning and should begin accumulating during the mid morning hours. Heaviest snowfall accumulation potential exists Wednesday afternoon and evening. Confidence: High in snowfall, medium in snowfall amounts, especially across southern portions of the forecast area in WV due to potential warm air intrusion. Best Case Scenario: More warm air wraps into the storm as it quickly passes through, hampering snowfall amounts. Worst Case Scenario: Storm tracks more southerly and slows, with colder air wrapping into the storm, prompting higher amounts.

Washington County has established a Public Inquiry line to receive questions and distribute information related to the CoVID-19 pandemic. Email [email protected] and a member of the DPS staff will respond in a timely manner. You can also use the Send Email button at the top of our page.

For Immediate Release: Courthouse Square Closed to Public 12/15/2020 - 1/4/2021. More at: https://www.co.washington.pa.us//102/FOR-IMMEDIATE-RELEASE

Stay ready and prepared. Stay alert while cooking and always be ready to react should a fire occur.

The latest from the National Weather Service. Be Safe!

Too many cooks in the kitchen (especially little cooks) is never a good thing. Teach your children about kitchen and fire safety, including a kid free zone around hot items of at least 3 feet. Stay Safe.

This is from the National Weather Service. It is early to make an accurate prediction, but it is time to get ready for winter snow.

Fire loves Clutter. Keep your cooking area clutter free to protect your family and home. Stay safe.

Governor Tom Wolf Administration to Use Wireless Emergency Alert System for COVID-19 Messaging https://www.governor.pa.gov//wolf-administration-to-use-w/

Earlier today, the Washington County 911 Center experienced a power outage due to power company work in the area and, approximately 2 hours later, a generator failure. The center’s battery backup sustained operations for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes before the primary answering point completely lost power. There was a brief service interruption while transitioning to the backup answering point, where partial service was restored. Call takers were able to answer incomin...g 911 calls and relay information to responders using the Department’s mobile command post. The primary answering point has now been restored to normal operation. As a result of the outage, a piece of communications equipment failed and is being replaced. Now that 911 service has been restored, we will be investigating the root cause of the failures to prevent them from occurring again in the future. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this brief interruption of service.

Be like Bill! Practice Fire Safety in your home year round. Stay Safe.

Every wonder why Fire Prevention Week exists? Below is an explanation from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA): Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. In 1925, Presiden...t Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires. While this week draws attention to Fire Prevention, it’s important to practice fire safety and prevention year round. Stay Safe.

October 4th thru October 10th is Fire Prevention week. The theme this year is Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen! Watch for safety messages related to Kitchen safety from your local Public Safety Agencies. Also, Remember Fire Safety is important year round, not just the first week in October, and it starts with YOU! Stay Safe.

Updated information from US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA

From US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA

$10 Million is Available to PA businesses who have kept us healthy and fed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more: https://buff.ly/2O7dERw

Registration for the COVID-19 Fire, Rescue, and EMS Grant is NOW OPEN through August 7, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Grant guidance and instructions are available https://bit.ly/3e5Cs70. Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner

Pennsylvania Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 456 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 82,186 Washington County has 156 confirmed cases, 12 probable cases, and 6 deaths reported. 6,697 negative tests have been reported to the Department. More info: https://www.health.pa.gov//coronavi/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

Great news! NWS and FEMA are implementing updates to Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) messages! You've probably seen these alerts pop up on your phone, tablet, o...r even smartwatch if you've been in a tornado, flash flood, or (new this past winter) snow squall warning. 1) The character limit has been expanded from 90 to 360 characters which provides you with more info about the threat and what actions to take. 2) Spanish speakers with Spanish set as the preferred language on their phones will now see the alert in Spanish. Not sure if you get alerts? Almost all cell phones made in the last 10 years are WEA capable. Check your phone settings to make sure "Emergency Alerts" or "Government Alerts" are turned on. More info: https://www.weather.gov/wrn/wea Service Change Notice: https://www.weather.gov//scn19-113weather_api_updatesaad.p

Pennsylvania Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 351 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 75,943 Washington County has 146 positive cases and 6 deaths reported More info: https://www.health.pa.gov//coronavi/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

Pennsylvania Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 443 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 74,385 Washington County has 141 positive cases and 6 deaths reported More info: https://www.health.pa.gov//coronavi/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx