Storm Emergency Updates From Lynchburg Officials - WSET.com - ABC13

Update Tuesday afternoon:

IMPORTANT LANE CLOSURE

AEP will be reducing Langhorne Road to one lane of traffic from the Farm Basket to the Williams Home beginning tomorrow, July 4. Flagmen will direct traffic, and emergency vehicles will have access at all times. The lane closure is necessary to allow for repairs to the electrical lines.

CITY OFFICES OPEN JULY 4

All City Offices will be open during normal hours on Wednesday, July 4. City employees will observe the Friday before Labor Day as a holiday instead of July 4. This decision was made due to the large number of employees that need to be involved in storm cleanup and associated operations and to ensure that citizens are able to receive the services and assistance they need.

SHELTER UPDATE

Shelter officials at both Sandusky Middle School and Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC) have reported this morning that shelter operations are continuing smoothly. Individuals may still go to the shelter of their choice; however, anyone with a mild medical condition is encouraged to go to the TRBC shelter. This shelter has medical staff available who are prepared to assist individuals with mild medical conditions. Anyone with major health problems or who may need around the clock care should go to Lynchburg General Hospital.

FREE ICE AND WATER

TRBC is continuing to distribute free water and ice to anyone in need. In addition, AREVA began distributing free ice and water to the public today at its facility located at 155 Mill Ridge Road.

MEALS AVAILABLE

Anyone needing a meal is encouraged to go to either Sandusky Middle School or to TRBC. Both facilities are prepared to feed anyone in need. You do not have to be in the shelter to receive food.

GLTC WILL SHUTTLE INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM EITHER SHELTER FREE OF CHARGE.

DONATIONS

Shelter officials at Sandusky report that they have received a large number of baby products and no longer need additional items.

TRASH COLLECTION

Lynchburg Public Works is reporting that residents have already brought over 2,000 tons of brush and refuse to the landfill on Concord Turnpike. City Public Works crews are continuing trash collection according to the regular schedule and will continue to do so throughout the week with one exception: Trash collection normally scheduled for Wednesday will instead be collected on Friday, July 6. Residents disposing of spoiled food should place the food in trash bags and place at curbside on their collection day. These trash bags do not need a trash tag.

BRUSH COLLECTION

City Public Works crews are collecting brush and will continue to do so as necessary. No phone call is necessary. Residents may also take brush and trash to the landfill located on Concord Turnpike. Until further notice, Lynchburg residents may dispose of these items free of charge.

HILLCATS JULY 4 BASEBALL GAME AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY

It is expected that as it has in prior years, the HillCats July 4 baseball game and fireworks display will draw a large crowd. Please be aware that there are still intersections throughout the City without traffic signals and some streets are still blocked due to downed trees. Motorists are asked to use caution and courtesy while traveling.

PERSONAL USE OF FIREWORKS

If you plan to use fireworks on July 4, please use extreme caution. There is a large amount of dry brush throughout the city and a stray spark could easily cause a major fire.

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT UPDATE

• Miller Park Pool opened today at noon. Now through Sunday, July 8, entry into the pool is only $1. Riverside Park Sprayground is now operating and open.

• The fountain at Riverfront Park is open and operating.

• Yoder, College Hill and Diamond Hill Centers are open for recreation activities from

9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. All other centers remain closed.

• The customer service window and administrative offices are open at the Miller Center. Recreation programs at the Miller Center are canceled for today. All camps for the remainder of this week are canceled.

• The Nature Zone is closed.

LYNCHBURG MUSEUM

• Both the Lynchburg Museum and Point of Honor will be open on Wednesday, July 4 free of charge.

LYNCHBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY

• The Lynchburg Public Library located at 2315 Memorial Avenue remains without power and is closed. The Downtown Branch Library located in City Hall will be open 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. for the remainder of the week.

• No fines will be assessed during this period.

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SHELTER UPDATE

City officials have announced that anyone with a medical condition or special needs who is seeking shelter should report to the shelter located at Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC), 1 Mountain View Road. This shelter has medical staff available who are prepared to assist individuals with mild medical conditions. Anyone with major health problems or who may need around the clock care should go to Lynchburg General Hospital. All others seeking shelter may choose to go to either the shelter located at TRBC or the Sandusky Middle School, 805 Chinook Place. Both shelters will accept pets but they must be crated, have vaccination documentation, and the pet owner must stay with their pet. Owners should also bring food for their pet.

DONATIONS

Donations of baby food, baby wipes, diapers, and baby formula are needed at the Sandusky shelter. Items may be dropped off at the school.

TRASH COLLECTION

City Public Works crews are collecting trash according to the regular schedule and will continue to do so throughout the week with one exception. Trash collection normally scheduled for Wednesday will instead be collected on Friday, July 6. Residents disposing of spoiled food should place the food in trash bags and place at curbside on their collection day. These trash bags do not need a trash tag.

BRUSH COLLECTION

City Public Works crews are collecting brush and will continue to do so as necessary. No phone call is necessary. Residents may also take brush and trash to the landfill located on Concord Turnpike. Until further notice, Lynchburg residents may dispose of the items free of charge.