RICHMOND, Va. — A new winter storm has entered the region. Virginia Department of Transportation crews are currently out and ready to plow and treat state maintained roadways. Crews will work in 12 hour shifts throughout the weekend for snow and ice removal and are also prepared to assist with downed trees on roadways and drainage problems that may occur from flooding.
VDOT Richmond recommends using caution while traveling north and west of the region.
Conditions in the Culpeper area are bad, with heavy snow falling.
Up to 10-inches of snowfall could affect northwestern and northern portions of the state. Freezing rain and icing is possible in many areas today as well. Motorists are advised to limit travel while VDOT crews work to clear roads of snow and ice.
If travel is necessary, motorists are reminded to check road conditions before going out. Road conditions and other real-time travel information can be found on the free VDOT 511 mobile app, 511 Virginia website, or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.
Travelers need to use extreme caution around slow-moving equipment being used to treat roads. Though driving is not recommended during this storm, drivers should allow extra space around other vehicles and travel slower than the posted speed limit in an attempt to stay safer on potentially slick pavement.
Rainfall is also expected to reach most of the state by this evening. The rain in addition to rising temperatures that will melt snow tonight and tomorrow could lead to flooded roads in some areas, especially southern and western portions of Virginia.
Nearly 300 customers without power
Currently, Dominion Virginia Power is reporting that 300 customers are without power. The bulk of the outages are in Powhatan and Petersburg.
Water main break closes two lanes on Staples Mill near West Broad
A broken water main at the intersection of Staples Mill Road and Marshall Street, near West Broad Street, is affecting northbound traffic on Staples Mill.
The two right lanes have been closed to facilitate repairs. The far left northbound lane remains open to traffic. Southbound lanes are not affected.
Henrico Public Utilities anticipates repairs to be completed and lanes reopened around midnight. The department does not expect water service to be disrupted.
