RICHMOND, Va. — The winter storm sweeping across Virginia this weekend is making travel dangerous with over 300 crashes reported as of 9 p.m. Sunday, according to police. Virginia State Police (VSP) is urging everyone to stay off the roads through Monday morning.
"Give VDOT trucks and emergency crews room to do their jobs,” VSP said in a statement. Police also cautioned that storm impacts may delay emergency responses to stranded drivers.
Since the storm began, state police have responded to:
378 total crashes statewide
28 of those crashes involved injuries
One fatal crash was reported in Northern Virginia, but police said the storm was not a factor in that wreck.
WATCH: Storm Rider 6 follows VDOT crews on Midlothian Turnpike
Crash Totals by VSP Division (as of 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25)
- Division 1 (Central Va./Richmond) – 86 crashes, 2 with injuries
- Division 2 (Northwest Va./Winchester/Harrisonburg) – 33 crashes, 3 with injuries
- Division 3 (Central/Western Va./Appomattox) – 41 crashes, 5 with injuries
- Division 4 (Southwest Va.) – 55 crashes, 4 with injuries
- Division 5 (Hampton Roads) –76 crashes, 7 with injuries
- Division 6 (Western Va./Roanoke) – 50 crashes, 5 with injuries
- Division 7 (Northern Va.) – 37 crashes, 2 with injuries, one fatal crash (not storm related, occurred in Fairfax County Saturday evening)
WATCH: Snow plow drivers in Hanover County doing 'terrific job,' Tom Patton says (9:15 a.m. Update)
Safety Reminder
- Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
- If you must drive, slow down and leave extra space for plows and emergency vehicles.
- Keep your car stocked with winter emergency supplies in case you become stranded.
Weather News
Updated hour-by-hour look at winter ice storm in Virginia
Troopers previously offered these tips for people who have to drive during the storm:
- Use headlights. Increasing your visibility helps you to avoid slick and dangerous spots on the road, as well as helps other drivers see you better.
- Slow your speed. Though state police works closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to identify problem areas on Virginia’s highways during a winter storm, drivers still must drive for conditions. Slowing your speed gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash. Drive your vehicle based on your ability to properly maintain control of your vehicle.
- Don’t tailgate. You need increased stopping distance on slick road surfaces. Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you to avoid rear end collisions.
- Buckle Up. Most crashes that occur during winter weather are caused by vehicles sliding into guardrails, off the road or other vehicles. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash.
- Check Your Vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order for the conditions. Fill up the tank in advance. Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.
- Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.
Keep off the roads during the storm. Prepare now for the possibility of treacherous road conditions and power outages. Plows may not clear subdivisions for several days after the storm. This could take longer depending on the intensity of snow or ice combined with extreme cold. pic.twitter.com/ggz2SesMp2
— VDOT Richmond (@VaDOTRVA) January 24, 2026
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Depend on the CBS 6 Weather Authority to keep you ahead of the storm. Watch CBS 6 News and stay with WTVR.com for complete coverage of this winter blast.
