More weather to impact roads this week

RICHMOND, Va. – More weather is expected to impact Virginia this week and travelers should pay attention to forecasts along their routes and adjust their plans based on conditions.

The higher elevations of the western portion of Virginia are forecast to see a period of snow and freezing rain early Tuesday morning, before switching over to rain by late Tuesday morning. With pavement temperatures across parts of the commonwealth being just below freezing during the onset of precipitation, there could be some road impacts before pavements rise above freezing during the later morning hours.

Additionally, heavy rain is forecast across the commonwealth from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night, with precipitation pushing off to the east after midnight into early Wednesday morning. Areas of flooding will be possible due to the saturated soils already in place. Wind gusts of up to 65 mph may also occur.

VDOT crews will be monitoring roadways and treating conditions as they develop.

This severe weather system may cause downed trees and power lines and other debris, as well as flooding that will make roadways extremely hazardous or impassable. Stay away from downed wires and do not approach or touch trees or limbs that are entangled with wires as they could be extremely dangerous. If those are in state maintained roadways, VDOT crews must await the power company to remove any electrical hazard before addressing downed trees or other roadway debris.

SAFETY DURING AND AFTER THE STORM

Travelers should use extreme caution on roadways: 

• Obey all “road closed” signage.
• “Turn around, don’t drown” - Do not attempt to travel through flooded roadways. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the primary causes of flood-related deaths occur to individuals driving into or walking in or near flood waters.
• Six inches of flood water is enough to knock an adult off of their feet
• 12 inches can move most cars
• 18-24 inches can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks
• Be alert to debris, downed trees and power lines.
• Move over for emergency crews operating in or near roadways.
• Be alert to High Wind Advisories, especially on bridges or taller structures. High-profile vehicles such as tractor trailers, SUVs or box trucks are especially vulnerable and should not cross a bridge when a High Wind Advisory is posted.

INFORMATION ON ROAD CONDITIONS 

Before traveling, check roadway conditions by using VDOT’s  which free 511 mobile app, offers information about road conditions, traffic, incidents, construction and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more. Information is also available at 511Virginia.org or by calling 511 while in Virginia.

For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623). 

For more about travel during inclement weather, visit VDOT’s weather page.