RICHMOND — The third storm in less than a week is expected to impact Virginia Friday evening into Saturday morning and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is cautioning travelers to tune into local forecasts and make plans to adjust travel based on weather conditions.
With the ground already saturated from recent weather events, VDOT warned additional rain and heavy winds may cause flooding and downed trees. In some areas, roads may be impassable and drivers should use extreme caution.
VDOT said crews will be monitoring roadways and treating conditions as they develop, which include:
- Setting up traffic control and detours for high waters and incidents
- Removing debris and branches from roadways and coordinating clean-up with other entities — such as power companies
- Making emergency repairs to damaged roads and bridges
VDOT urges the following precautions after the storm:
- Be alert to debris in the roadway, such as downed trees or limbs
- Watch and be prepared for spray from larger vehicles
- Never drive through standing water, which could cause you to hydroplane and lose control of your vehicle
- Obey all “road closed” signage and do not try to move or drive around the barricade
- If you come across a flooded road that has not been barricaded, turn around and use an alternate route
Information on road conditions
Before traveling, VDOT urges drivers to check roadway conditions by using its free 511 mobile app, which 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).
