Black Bear Invades National Weather Service HQ In Sterling

STERLING, VA—Those good folks at the National Weather Service's area bureau in Sterling no doubt spend much of their time hunched over computers scouring radar data, various weather models and the like. But every once in a while, they glance out the window to see for themselves.

When they did so Tuesday, May 21, they saw, well, this: "We require tours of our office to be scheduled in advance," they wrote on their Facebook page. "However, this black bear thought he could just drop by today."

That's right. A big ol' black bear decided to mosey through the campus. Of course, such a sight isn't all that uncommon this time of the year. Earlier this month, for example, a bear was spotted near a major road in Herndon.

The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries has some advice should you come across a bear:

There are no definite rules about what to do if you meet a bear. In almost all cases, the bear will detect you first and leave the area. Unprovoked bear attacks are very rare, and have never been documented in Virginia. If you do meet a bear here are some suggestions:

• Stay calm. If you see a bear and it has not seen you, calmly leave the area. As you move away, make noise to let the bear discover your presence.
• Stop. Back away slowly while facing the bear.
• Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Bears rarely attack people unless they feel cornered or provoked.
• Do not run or make any sudden movements. Running could prompt the bear to give chase, and you cannot outrun a bear. If on a trail, step off the trail and slowly leave the area.
• If there is a bear in your yard and it approaches you, make yourself look big and make loud noises. Remain at a safe distance and throw rocks to make the bear feel unwelcome.
• If there is a bear in your house prop open all doors to the outside and get out of the way of the exit. Never close a bear into a room. Make noises and yell at bear to leave the house. Don’t approach the bear but make sure it knows it is violating your territory.
• If you surprise a bear speak softly. This may reassure the bear that you mean it no harm.
• Fight back. If a black bear attacks you, fight back. Black bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.