City News

Press Releases and Announcements

Traffic Advisory: Inclement Weather Road Closures

Richmond, VA - Please be advised of the following road closures, effective immediately for the safety of residents and to support road clearing efforts. 

  1. Boulevard Bridge (North and Southbound from Pump House Dr. to Riverside Dr.)
  2. Brown’s Island Way (from S. 2nd St. to Tredegar St.)
  3. Byrd St. (from S. 4th St.. to S. 5th St.)
  4. S. 3rd St. (from E. Cary St. to E. Byrd St.)
  5. N. 23rd St. (from E. Franklin St. To E. Grace St.)
  6. N. 25th St. (from W. Broad St. to E. Main St., including intersections at Main St., Franklin St., Grace St., and Broad St.)
  7. E. Marshall St. (from N. 21st St. to N. 20th St.)
  8. N. 7th St. (blocks 900 through 1200, from the I-64 East/I-95 West on-ramps to Hospital St.)
  9. Hospital St. (from N. 7th St. To N. 5th St.) 

These roadways will remain closed until clear. Residents are urged to please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.  

 

Advertencia de tráfico: Cierre de vías por mal tiempo 

Tenga en cuenta los siguientes cierres de vías, vigentes inmediatamente, para permitir el tratamiento de las calles a la espera del mal tiempo inminente: 

  1. Puente de Westover Hills Boulevard (también conocido como Nickel Bridge) - (en ambas direcciones, desde Pump House Drive hasta Riverside Drive).
  2. Brown’s Island Way (entre las calles South 2nd y Tredegar).
  3. Byrd Street (entre las calles South 4th y South 5th).
  4. South 3rd Street (entre las calles East Cary e East Byrd).
  5. North 23rd Street (entre las calles East Franklin e East Grace).
  6. North 25th Street (entre las calles West Broad e East Main, incluyendo los cruces con las calles Main, Franklin, Grace y Broad).
  7. East Marshall Street (entre las calles North 20th y North 21st).
  8. North 7th Street (las cuadras del 900 al 1200, desde las rampas de I-64Este/I-95 Oeste hasta Hospital Street).
  9. Hospital Street (entre las calles North 5th y North 7th). 

Estas vías seguirán cerradas hasta que hayan sido despejadas y sean seguras. Eviten salir a menos que sea absolutamente necesario. 



Richmond to Activate City Emergency Shelter Ahead of Winter Storm

Richmond, VA — To ensure adequate shelter capacity ahead of the incoming winter storm, City of Richmond will activate the City Emergency Shelter this evening. The shelter, located at Southside Community Center (6255 Old Warwick Road), will open to any individuals or families in need at 5 p.m. today and will remain open through the duration of the extreme weather event. Additionally, the Main Library at 101 E. Franklin Street will serve as a central warming center today until 5 p.m. 

Residents visiting the City Emergency Shelter with a pet in need, should contact Richmond Animal Care and Control at 804-646-5573 for temporary housing options for their pet. Space is limited and available by appointment. Service Animals are always permitted in the City Emergency Shelter. 

The Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter and CARITAS Surge Shelter will continue to operate as planned.  

Residents should visit go.rva.gov/winter-weather for the latest updates and follow the City of Richmond’s social media channels for updates on City operations. For more information on weather conditions, please monitor reliable sources such as the National Weather Service. Residents can also call 311 for winter weather updates and shelter information.  

Richmond Ready Alerts    

Residents are encouraged to sign up for Richmond Ready Alerts to receive critical emergency and weather alerts from the City of Richmond. Residents can text ‘RVAREADY’ to 888-777 to receive a sign-up link or visit rva.gov/richmondreadyalerts to learn more. 

Note to our media partners: The City Emergency Shelter is NOT open to media, and site visits are NOT available at this time.  

Richmond activará el refugio de emergencia de la ciudad antes de la tormenta invernal

Richmond, Virginia — Para garantizar una capacidad adecuada de refugio antes de la tormenta invernal que se avecina, la ciudad de Richmond activará esta tarde el Refugio de Emergencia de la Ciudad. El refugio, situado en el Centro Comunitario Southside (6255 Old Warwick Road), abrirá a cualquier persona o familia que lo necesite a partir de hoy a las 5:00 p.m. y permanecerá abierto durante toda la duración del evento meteorológico extremo. Además, la Biblioteca Principal, localizada en el 101 de E. Franklin Street servirá hoy como centro central de calentamiento hasta las 5:00 p.m.

Los residentes que visiten el Refugio de Emergencia de la Ciudad con una mascota deben contactar a la Oficina de Cuidados y Control de Animales de Richmond al 804-646-5573 para opciones de alojamiento temporal para su mascota. Los cupos son limitadas y están disponibles con cita previa. Los animales de asistencia siempre están permitidos en el refugio de emergencia de la ciudad.

El Refugio contra Condiciones Meteorológicas Adversas del Ejército de Salvación y el Refugio de Emergencias de CARITAS seguirán funcionando según lo previsto.

Los habitantes deben visitar el sitio web go.rva.gov/winter-weather para recibir información actualizada y seguir los canales de redes sociales de la ciudad de Richmond para recibir los cambios sobre las operaciones municipales. Para más información sobre las condiciones meteorológicas, por favor consulte fuentes confiables como el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Los residentes también pueden llamar al 311 para obtener actualizaciones sobre el clima e información sobre refugios.

Alertas de Richmond Ready

Animamos a los richmondeses a inscribirse en el sistema de alertas Richmond Ready para recibir avisos críticos durante emergencias y alertas meteorológicas de la Ciudad de Richmond. Los habitantes pueden enviar el mensaje 'RVAREADY' al número 888-777 para recibir un enlace de inscripción o visitar rva.gov/richmondreadyalerts para obtener más información.

Mayor Danny Avula Declares State of Emergency Due to Approaching Severe Winter Weather

City of Richmond Activates Emergency Operations Center Ahead of Winter Storm 

Richmond, VA — Today, due to the anticipated impact of severe weather conditions this weekend, Mayor Danny Avula has declared a State of Emergency in the City of Richmond. Residents should visit go.rva.gov/winter-weather and the City of Richmond’s social media channels for updates on City operations. For weather updates, please monitor reliable sources of information such as the National Weather Service. 

Inclement Weather Shelters  
To protect and shelter Richmond’s most vulnerable residents, the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter, located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue and operated by the Salvation Army, will open today at 5:00 p.m. 

Additionally, the CARITAS Surge Shelter and the City Emergency Shelter will be activated during this inclement weather event and will operate as needed.

Richmond Ready Alerts  
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Richmond Ready Alerts to receive critical emergency and weather alerts from the City of Richmond. Residents can text ‘RVAREADY’ to 888-777 to receive a sign-up link or visit rva.gov/richmondreadyalerts to learn more.

Emergency Operations Center
Effective Saturday, January 24, 2026, the City of Richmond will be activating its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the winter weather expected to impact the area beginning Saturday. 

The EOC will serve a crucial role as a centralized hub for city agencies to collaborate. The center will facilitate the coordination of resources, effective communication, and the implementation of action plans aimed at promptly addressing any challenges that may arise.

All press requests for information and interviews relating to the EOC activation should be directed to AskOSC@rva.gov .

El alcalde Danny Avula declara el Estado de Emergencia debido a la inminente tormenta invernal

La Ciudad de Richmond activa su Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia debido a la llegada de la tormenta invernal 

Richmond, Virginia — El día de hoy, y debido al impacto previsto de las condiciones climáticas severas durante este fin de semana, el alcalde Danny Avula ha declarado el Estado de Emergencia en la Ciudad de Richmond. Recomendamos a los residentes que visiten la página go.rva.gov/winter-weather y los canales oficiales de redes sociales de la Ciudad de Richmond para recibir la información más actualizada sobre las operaciones de la administración municipal. Para obtener noticias actualizadas sobre el clima, estén pendientes de fuentes confiables de información, tales como el Servicio Nacional del Clima (NWS, por sus iniciales en inglés) en weather.gov (solo en inglés).

Refugios ante el Mal Tiempo  
Para proteger y albergar a los residentes más vulnerables de Richmond, el Refugio Municipal ante el Mal Tiempo, situado en el 1900 de Chamberlayne Avenue y administrado por el Ejército de Salvación, abrirá hoy desde las 5:00 p.m.

Además, también se activarán tanto el Refugio Adicional de Emergencia de CARITAS como el Refugio Municipal de Emergencia durante toda esta tormenta invernal y seguirán funcionando mientras sea necesario.

Alertas de Richmond Ready  
Se anima a los habitantes de la ciudad para que se inscriban en el servicio de alertas Richmond Ready Alerts para que reciban alertas críticas sobre emergencias y eventos climáticos en la Ciudad de Richmond. Para inscribirse, pueden enviar el mensaje de texto 'RVAREADY' al 888777 para recibir un enlace de inscripción o pueden visitar la página rva.gov/richmondreadyalerts para obtener más información.

Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia
A partir del sábado 24 de enero de 2026, la Ciudad de Richmond activará su Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia (EOC, por sus siglas en inglés) en respuesta al clima invernal que se espera que afecte la región desde mañana. Esta activación apoya los esfuerzos de la administración para manejar la situación y garantizar la seguridad del público.

El EOC cumplirá con una tarea fundamental, ya que servirá como el punto central de colaboración de las agencias de la ciudad: facilita la coordinación de recursos, la comunicación efectiva y la implementación de planes de acción que buscarán resolver cualquier desafío que pueda surgir.

Todas las solicitudes de entrevistas e información que estén relacionadas con la activación del EOC deberán dirigirse al correo AskOSC@rva.gov .

Delays Expected with Household Trash & Bulk Collections

Posted January 23, 2026

 

RICHMOND, VA – Due to expected heavy snow accumulation and inclement weather conditions, Richmond residents may experience delays in household trash and bulk collections next week.

 

The safety of residents and collection crews is our top priority. In the event of severe weather, collection schedules may be adjusted to accommodate road conditions and ensure safe operations. 

 

Residents are asked to:

 

  • Please leave trash carts and bulk item at the curb until collection occurs

  • Avoid placing additional items in the roadway

  • Exercise caution when traveling near service vehicles and snowplows

We appreciate your patience and understanding as crews work to safely resume normal collection services as weather conditions allow.

For updates visit go.rva.gov/winter-weather

 

 

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 225 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk, and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station and the RVA Bike Share program. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

Mayor Danny Avula on federal immigration activities

City of Richmond affirms its commitment to a Thriving Richmond where everyone's rights are protected

As Mayor, a proud long-time resident of Richmond, and the city’s first immigrant Mayor, I celebrate the vibrant diversity that makes our city strong. Our immigrant communities are an essential part of Richmond’s story and future. 

I understand there is tremendous fear in the community right now. Fear in completing everyday tasks, such as showing up for work, taking your children to school, or buying groceries, and I want you to know I hear you. 

I also want to assure you: My administration and I stand with you.  As I've shared in the past, RPD Chief Rick Edwards, Council President Cynthia Newbille, and I stand united in supporting our city’s residents, including our immigrant neighbors, and protecting the trust between our communities and local law enforcement. If residents need law enforcement support, or to report crimes, call 911.  

The City’s mission  is to "provide trustworthy leadership and high-quality services that meet the needs of our vibrant city”, and I believe strongly that Richmond must remain a city where every resident feels safe accessing services, reporting crimes, and engaging with local government—regardless of immigration status. I pledge, along with my administration, to show up during these times with integrity, partnership, and care.  

Federal immigration enforcement operates under its own authority – the City does not control their actions, nor do we coordinate with them on deportation activities. The Richmond Police Department has not entered into a 287(g) agreement with ICE, and does not participate in the enforcement of federal immigration law. Our officers are here to focus on their core mission: community policing, protecting all neighborhoods, and reducing crime.   

As Mayor, my responsibility is to be clear about where the City stands, to express concern for our neighbors, and to point residents to accurate, trusted resources. I’m deeply committed to listening and working with the community to strengthen the way we keep all residents safe. The City’s values will continue to guide how I evaluate and update City policies, partnerships, and decisions together.  

Lastly, I reject any approach that creates fear, confusion, or division. Those tactics undermine public safety and erode trust, making our communities less safe, not more secure. Richmond, along with my administration, will continue focusing on a Thriving Richmond, where everyone’s rights are protected, and where every resident is treated with dignity, today and always. 

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