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Newport News council confirms and terminates local emergency from Winter Storm Fern

Newport News City Council · January 28, 2026

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Summary

Council confirmed the city's Jan. 20 local emergency declaration under the Code of Virginia and formally terminated the emergency effective Jan. 26, 2026, at 10 a.m.; the resolution passed 6-0 on Jan. 27.

Newport News city council on Jan. 27 confirmed a local emergency declared Jan. 20 for Winter Storm Fern and formally terminated that declaration effective 10:00 a.m. on Jan. 26, 2026.

City staff told council the declaration enabled necessary emergency actions to protect public health and safety; staff cited Code of Virginia section 44-146.21, which requires a governing body to confirm emergency declarations issued without prior approval within 45 days. Councilmember Solomon moved to confirm and terminate the declaration; the motion passed 6-0.

The resolution, as read during the meeting, ratified the actions taken during the storm and fixed the termination date and time. No additional recovery funding or expenditures were approved on the council floor at this meeting.

Next steps: termination is effective as stated in the resolution; any follow-up reporting or requests for reimbursements were not discussed during the session.