Home Owner Guide to Freezing Rain and Ice Storms

Hampton Roads doesn’t handle ice the way inland areas do. Between salt air, wind, bridges and tunnels, and quick temperature swings, what falls can turn slick fast and stay that way longer than people expect.

What’s happening locally right now

As of January 22, 2026, the National Weather Service office in Wakefield is projecting a significant wintry mix for our region, with a transition into freezing rain in parts of the area and bitter cold continuing afterward.
VDOT’s Hampton Roads District has also been urging the public to complete preparations ahead of the event and avoid non-essential travel during and after it until conditions improve.

A simple Prevention checklist for every Home Owner

These are the “10 minutes now” steps that reduce risk when temperatures drop hard:

1. Know the shutoff
   Locate the main shutoff and verify it turns. Put a flashlight next to it.
2. Warm air access
   Open cabinet doors under exterior-wall sinks so warm room air can circulate around plumbing.
3. Appliance connection check
   If you have a fridge, inspect the Refrigerator Supply Line connection for rubbing, kinks, and any sign of slow seepage.
4. If you’ll be away
   Before Vacation, arrange a quick check-in routine (a neighbor, friend, or property contact) so small issues don’t turn into major Property Damage while you’re gone.

How to spot trouble early

Leaks don’t always announce themselves with a puddle. A basic Hygrometer can help you notice when indoor moisture levels jump unexpectedly, which is often the first clue that something changed under a cabinet, behind an appliance, or near a plumbing run.

If something fails indoors, act fast and document cleanly

If a plumbing line fails:

• Shut off the main valve.
• Move valuables up and away from the affected area.
• Take clear photos and short notes to support the Claim Process (dates, locations, what you saw first, and what you did immediately).

What to do now, and what to schedule for later

Right now, focus on fast, low-effort steps that reduce risk immediately: confirm the main shutoff works, open cabinet doors on exterior-wall sinks, and check appliance connections like the Refrigerator Supply Line for rubbing or seepage.

Once this cold stretch passes, use Summer as your “upgrade window” to make longer-term improvements without racing a forecast, like swapping aging supply hoses, improving access to shutoffs, and tightening up drafty penetrations where plumbing runs through walls.

Want a one-page cold-snap checklist you can share with tenants or owners? Contact our local team and we’ll send it over.