Essex County Emergency Services

06/12/2026

⛈️Severe Thunderstorm Watch⛈️
Significant threat to life or property

Weather Event Onset
7:29 PM (EDT), June 12

Description
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 321, PREVIOUSLY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING, IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 21 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA

AMELIA CHESTERFIELD CITY OF RICHMOND CUMBERLAND FLUVANNA GOOCHLAND HANOVER HENRICO LOUISA POWHATAN PRINCE EDWARD

IN EAST CENTRAL VIRGINIA

ESSEX KING WILLIAM KING AND QUEEN NEW KENT RICHMOND WESTMORELAND

IN EASTERN VIRGINIA

LANCASTER MIDDLESEX NORTHUMBERLAND

IN NORTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA

CAROLINE

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF AMELIA COURTHOUSE, ANGOLA, BEACH, BON AIR, BOTTOMS BRIDGE, BRAYS FORK, BROWNS CORNER, BURRUSS CORNER, CARET, CEDAR FORK, CENTER CROSS, CHAMPLAIN, CHESTER, CHESTERFIELD, CHULA, CLANCIE, COLONIAL BEACH, CORBIN, DAWN, DENARO, DRAGONVILLE, DUNBROOKE, DUNNSVILLE, EARLS, FARMVILLE, GLEN ALLEN, GOOCHLAND, GRESSIT, GUINEA MILLS, HAWK, HOWERTONS, JETERSVILLE, KILMARNOCK, KING AND QUEEN COURT HOUSE, LAKE MONTICELLO, LANCASTER, LEWISETTA, LITTLE PLYMOUTH, LOUISA, MANNBORO, MASCOT, MATTAPONI, MEADOWVILLE, MECHANICSVILLE, MIDLOTHIAN, MINERAL, MOSELEY, MOUNTCASTLE, NEW KENT AIRPORT, ORAPAX FARMS, POWHATAN, QUINTON, RAINES TAVERN, REEDS, RICHMOND, SANDSTON, SCOTTS FORK, STODDERT, TALLEYSVILLE, URBANNA, WARSAW, AND WEST POINT.

Action Recommended
Monitor the situation and take precautions if necessary.
Urgency
Take action in the near future.

Affected Area
Essex

Issued By
National Weather Service

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

☀️Heat Advisory☀️

Severity: Moderate
Possible threat to life or property
Weather Event Onset
11:00 AM (EDT), June 11

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 106 expected.

* WHERE...Eastern Essex, Richmond, Westmoreland, Mathews, and Northumberland Counties.

* WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Action Recommended
Execute a pre-planned activity as instructed in the Description.

Urgency
Take action within next hour.

Affected Area
Eastern Essex

Issued By
National Weather Service

05/31/2026

05/31/2026

Congratulations to all those amazing and hardworking students on your achievements this year, whether you're moving on from kindergarten, moving up to middle school, walking the halls of high school next year, or moving towards your college degree.

You chose every day to keep moving, to keep showing up, and doing the work needed. You persevered through hard times, celebrated great wins, and found new challenges along the way.

Your community is extremely proud of you! A big pat on the back to your families who helped you, to your friends who cheered you on, and your teachers who helped show the way.

We hope you have an amazing summer. Please be safe, make smart choices, always wear your seatbelt, and we can't wait to celebrate your goals next year too!

💙Essex County Emergency Services

05/29/2026

Always sleep with your doors closed.

05/26/2026

SEVEN DEAD IN SEVEN CRASHES ON VIRGINIA ROADS OVER 2026 MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY

Two Fatalities Involved Pedestrians

RICHMOND – Preliminary data shows seven people were killed in crashes on Virginia roads during the 2026 Memorial Day holiday weekend (Friday through Monday). The number is two fewer than in 2025, when nine people died in crashes over the holiday.* Two of the fatal crashes involved pedestrians, and as of May 26, 2026, preliminary data shows there have been 46 pedestrian fatalities this year.

The fatal crashes during the Memorial Day weekend occurred in the counties of Appomattox, Botetourt, Henrico, Isle of Wight, Mecklenburg, and Pittsylvania, as well as the City of Roanoke. The crashes in Henrico and Isle of Wight involved pedestrians.

“Enhancing the safety of the Commonwealth and preserving life continues to be our top priority,“ said Colonel Jeffrey S. Katz, Superintendent of Virginia State Police. “We continue to strive for a holiday where there are no fatal crashes, and while our presence sends a message, we still need drivers to slow down, buckle up, avoid distractions, and drive sober.”

As part of the nationwide, state-sponsored Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort), Virginia State Police had all available troopers and supervisors on patrol over the 2026 holiday weekend. During the statistical counting period, troopers cited more than 2,500 drivers for speeding and more than 1,100 drivers for reckless driving. Fifty-nine drivers were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI/DUID). State troopers also cited 256 drivers for violating the “hands free” phone law.

Virginia is also currently participating in the annual Click It or Ticket seatbelt education and enforcement campaign. Over the holiday, there were 474 seatbelt violations and 96 child restraint citations issued by Virginia State Police.

Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding, and teacher retirement.

05/23/2026

Welcome back RivahFest!

05/23/2026

😂😂They did a great job putting a humorous twist to a very important reminder. 😂😂

Stay safe!

05/21/2026

No fancy image or infographic should be needed to drive this point home.

Please NEVER leave an unoccupied child or an animal inside a vehicle.

Summer weather is here. And it does not need to be wicked hot for irreversible harm to occur.

Slow down, pay attention and stay safe.