Governor Youngkin has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Helene approaches landfall in the southern United States. The storm is forecast to cause significant rainfall and flooding in the western portion of Virginia tomorrow into Saturday. The governor said high winds and heavy rain could also affect other parts of the state, and he urged Virginians to closely monitor the storm. The declaration allows the state to mobilize emergency resources to prepare for the storm, respond as it passes through and work on recovery afterward.
Plans for a new Interstate are off the table and lawmakers are hoping to find an alternative route.Preview: The City of Lynchburg is getting a big federal grant to help them hire personnel at a new fire station. The city is getting four-point-four-million dollars from FEMA to staff Station Nine, which will start construction next year. Up to 21 new firefighters will be funded through the grant. A spokesperson says the city has committed to paying the salaries of the 21 firefighters once the grant expires.
The Stafford County Sheriff's Office is having a little fun with an unusual rescue carried out earlier this week. A social media post from the sheriff's office talks about deputies responding to a Stafford home after a pet snake named Prince decided to slither into a basement sump pump.