3/2/09 8:35 a.m.
Here's a release from the Virginia Department of Transportation about the roads and what they recommend for drivers:
VDOT RESPONDING TO WINTER STORM
Drivers advised to avoid travel
COLONIAL HEIGHTS - Heavy snow has fallen across the region and driving is difficult, if not dangerous at this time. High winds are creating drifts and trees and limbs are reported down at various locations. As the storm continues through the Richmond area, visibility is limited. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) advises drivers to avoid travel unless necessary until conditions improve.
VDOT crews will work in 12 hour shifts around the clock throughout the duration of the storm, focusing first on the interstate and primary routes. Once those roads are in good condition, crews will shift to secondary and subdivision streets. VDOT's goal is to have all roads passable within 48 hours after the storm ends.
The I-295 flyover bridge from I-64 east (Exit 177) is closed due to ice and heavy snow accumulation. Motorists who need to access I-295 from I-64 east are advised to continue to Broad Street (Exit 178) and re-enter I-64 going west to reach I-295.
VDOT advises motorists to check the traffic and weather reports before driving in these conditions. For the current road conditions and real-time traffic, call 511 or visit www.511Virginia.org. For more information about VDOT snow efforts and to find winter driving tips and other information, visit www.VirginiaDOT.org
3/2/09 8:29 a.m.
If you are scheduled to fly out of RIC Airport don't leave home before checking the status of your flight. Log onto: flyrichmond.com.
3/2/09 8:20 a.m.
Richmond Times-Dispatch is reporting that subscribers in the metro area should expect their papers, but they will be delayed. They should arrive by late morning. Outside the metro area, subscribers may not be able to get their papers today.
To read it online log onto: www.TD-Digital.com
3/2/09 8:13 a.m.
New closing: VCU & VCU Medical Center clinics closed today.
For a full updated list: click here
To join our live interactive chat: click here
3/2/09 8:07 a.m.
If you absolutely have to travel, get an idea of what the roads look like before you go.
You can see live cameras posted along the area's major interstates via Trafficland.
Click here to see them.
3/2/09 8:06 a.m.
Here's the latest from the Associated Press:
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A late-winter storm blanketed Virginia with snow, knocking out power to thousands of customers and forcing most schools and local governments in several areas to shut down.
People were advised to stay off the roads during the storm, but state police said they responded to hundreds of accidents between late Sunday afternoon and 5 a.m. Monday. No fatalities were reported.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning through noon Monday for most of Virginia. Dominion Virginia Power said nearly 123,000 customers were without power, with more than half in the Richmond metropolitan area.
Appalachian Power, which serves southwest Virginia, reported about 5,600 outages.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
3/2/09 8:04 a.m.
THIS JUST IN: Amtrak officials tell CBS 6 that trees have fallen on the tracks in several locations and NO TRAINS ARE MOVING as of right now.
3/2/09 7:57 a.m.
Snow totals for areas around Richmond from the CBS 6 Storm Team:
Laurel 9.5"
Powhatan 8.5"
Bowling Green 8.0"
Hanover (Cold Harbor) 8.0"
Regency 7.0"
Mechanicsville 7.0"
Port Royal 5.0"
Coatesville 4.0"
For the latest numbers, log onto the CBS Storm Team Blog
3/2/09 7:51 a.m.
The latest power outages:
| Northern Virginia Area | 802,408 | 9,588 |
| Shenandoah Valley/Western Piedmont | 179,416 | 1,658 |
| Richmond Metro/Tri Cities | 484,231 | 62,671 |
| Southside Virginia Area | 68,533 | 17,543 |
| Gloucester / Northern Neck | 61,117 | 11,822 |
| Southeastern Virginia Area | 686,215 | 10,649 |
| North Carolina Area | 120,978 | 32 |
| System Total | 2,402,898 | 113,963 |
go to www.dom.com for updates.
3/2/09 7:48 a.m.
Road Conditions update: Interstate 64 Westbound between the airport and downtown has one clear lane where you can see pavement in some spots. There was one car off the road in the ditch on the eastbound side near Nine Mile Road and police and a tow truck are already on the scene. It's worse where I-95 & I-64 overlap where it's all snow and slush. The Boulevard and Broad Street just east of CBS 6 is treacherous. One car got stuck on Hermitage Road at Robin Hood Road and a police officer was actually trying to help the driver push it out of deep snow. Be careful if you have to travel.
3/2/09 7:46 a.m.
GRTC reports all buses running. No delays.
