Virginia governor declares state of emergency due to powerful windstorm

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in response to the severe weather conditions caused by a powerful windstorm impacting the state.

"The order is designed to help Virginia mitigate any damage caused by high winds and to streamline the process that the Commonwealth uses to provide assistance to communities impacted," the governor's office said in a news release.

Officials say two people in Virginia, a man and a 6-year-old boy, have died in separate incidents after being injured by falling trees.

A High Wind Warning in is effect for the D.C. region until 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

The windstorm has caused numerous downed power lines and trees throughout the region. Travel has also been impacted with flight cancellations at D.C. area airports while Amtrak service was shut down from D.C. to Boston until Saturday.

Stay with FOX 5 on the app and online for weather updates:

Get the latest FOX 5 forecast here.

Check the latest Closings and Delays

Download the FOX 5 Weather App

Check the latest weather radars

Check for power outages in DC region

Stay up to date with the FOX 5 Weather Team on Twitter: @fox5weather, @suepalkafox5dc, @garyfox5dc, @TuckerFox5, @gwenfox5dc, @MikeTFox5, @caitlinrothfox5