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Smyth County ratifies local emergency declaration after Winter Storm Fern

Smyth County Board of Supervisors · June 1, 2026
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Summary

Smyth County's Board of Supervisors ratified a Declaration of Local Emergency for Winter Storm Fern on Feb. 12, set to expire March 1; the county credited crews and first responders for storm response.

Smyth County's Board of Supervisors on Feb. 12 ratified a Declaration of Local Emergency for Winter Storm Fern, a resolution County Administrator Shawn Utt presented to the board and set to expire on March 1.

Chilhowie District Supervisor Mike Sturgill moved to accept the resolution; Rye Valley District Supervisor Jason Parris seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Utt said the declaration covered the county's response to heavy snow and ice and asked the board to approve and ratify the decision.

At the meeting several supervisors thanked staff, first responders, utility crews and VDOT for their efforts responding to the storm. Chair Charlie Atkins specifically thanked local water department crews for addressing winter leaks and asked staff to contact state delegates and senators about a separate education-related request later in the meeting.

The board did not record additional emergency expenditures in the public portion of the meeting; the declaration summary filed with the minutes sets the resolution to expire March 1.