City: Worst is Yet to Come

More than 1,000 people are without power and the city's website is not working as a result of Hurricane Irene, according to city officials. Residents are again urged to stay off the roads until the storm has passed, with officials warning that the worst is yet to come.

Natatia Bledsoe, public information officer with the Fredericksburg Police Department, says that the City Hall and the city's IT offices which house the municipal computer servers are down. This has blacked out Fredericksburgva.gov, one of the primary methods by which the city disseminates information to residents in times of crisis. 

The full statement issued by Bledsoe is below: 

"1,025 VA Dominion Power customers are currently without power in Fredericksburg, among them City Hall and the City's website.

A tree fell through the roof and into an upper story bedroom at Hazel Hill Apartments on Princess Anne Street.  Fortunately, the resident was not at home and nobody was injured.  The apartment manager is making arrangements for alternative accomodations.

Residents are urged to stay off the roads and in their homes!  Trees are coming down all over the City into roadways and onto utility lines, and conditions are not safe to venture out.

I'm told the worst rain and wind activity is yet to come between 9pm and midnight."