Like the rest of the D.C. region, Fairfax County is still working its way out from under the mounds of snow and ice left behind by Winter Storm Fern.
On top of the three deaths from medical emergencies reported by the Fairfax County Police Department, the Jan. 25 storm resulted in a “significant” surge in sledding-related injuries throughout last week, according to Inova.
“Many of these injuries have been serious, with several requiring hospital admission and ICU-level care,” said Dr. Adam Kochman, the medical director for pediatric emergency medicine at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. “My suspicion is that this is largely due to children sledding on ice rather than snow, which significantly increases the risk of high-impact injuries.”
The increase in snow and ice-related injuries was seen across Inova’s system, a spokesperson told FFXnow. While headquartered in Fairfax — specifically at its Inova Fairfax Hospital campus in Merrifield — the nonprofit healthcare provider operates facilities throughout Northern Virginia.
Reston Hospital Center saw a decline in emergency room patient volumes during the storm, which kept most people inside, but levels have since normalized, according to the hospital’s emergency services director.
Like Inova, Reston Hospital reported an influx of patients with conditions related to the winter weather, though no deaths were directly attributed to the storm.
“We did see an increase in orthopedic injuries post-storm from people falling on ice,” a Reston Hospital spokesperson said, citing information from the emergency services director. “We also had several traumas related to sledding incidents, motor vehicle accidents, and falls related to the snow/ice. Several unhoused patients were seen due to the frigid temperatures and diagnosed with hypothermia.”
Winter Storm Fern brought up to 8.5 inches of snow and ice to Fairfax County, falling short of last year’s biggest snowfall. However, a prolonged period of below-freezing temperatures that’s only just starting to ease today (Monday) solidified much of that precipitation into almost immovable landscapes of what the Virginia Department of Transportation is calling “snowcrete.”
In addition to slowing down street and sidewalk clean-up efforts, the snowcrete has evidently made winter activities like sledding more treacherous than usual.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s sledding safety tips include avoiding hills that are icy instead of snowy.
The storm also damaged the indoor tennis center at Herndon’s Bready Park (814 Ferndale Avenue). The town didn’t elaborate on the type and extent of the damage, but the facility, which completed upgrades in 2024, is now closed indefinitely.
“Repairs are underway and updates will be shared as available,” the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department said. “Thank you for your patience.”
Facility Update:
The Bready Park Indoor Tennis Center is closed indefinitely due to winter storm damage. Repairs are underway and updates will be shared as available.
Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/yT2YxCiLcD
— Herndon Parks & Recreation (@herndonparks) February 2, 2026
The Town of Herndon will resume trash and recycling collections today after canceling pickups throughout last week. Residents can place two additional bags of trash outside containers for crews to take.
Its Department of Public Works crews are continuing efforts to widen lanes on major roads, clear on-street parking in the downtown area, and address neighborhood streets.
Over in Vienna, Town Manager Mercury Payton suspended noise ordinance restrictions from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. yesterday (Sunday) for snow and ice removal purposes only. The waiver applied to all residents and property owners as well as contractors.
“The recovery continues after a weeklong battle to remove rock-solid snow and ice throughout town,” the Town of Vienna said in an update on Saturday (Jan. 31). “Public Works made great progress today along Church Street, Maple Avenue and other public areas.”
With classes canceled again today, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a message sent to families yesterday that she has been working with VDOT and Fairfax County officials to address still-blocked intersections and roadways so schools could hopefully reopen tomorrow (Tuesday), likely on a two-hour delay.
To help school, state and local officials identify sites to prioritize, FCPS has an open form that families can fill out if their child’s bus stop is still significantly affected by snow and ice. The school system has also encouraged community members to help clear bus stops and sidewalks.
This story was updated with comments from Reston Hospital.
