Norfolk, Va. – Virginia State Police announced Saturday evening that there have been three deaths across the state that have been linked to the winter storm that rolled through.
One of those deaths happened during a crash in Chesapeake on Friday where a 40-year-old North Carolina man was killed.
State police and the Virginia Department of Transportation have been warning residents to stay home.
“Just as state officials and law enforcement are advising Virginians to stay off the roads, we are also urging people to stay indoors,” Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said. “The freezing temperatures, drifting snow, and white-out conditions are extremely dangerous for individuals to be out walking around in, as people can slip and fall and/or become disoriented very easily in such conditions.”
Geller pointed folks to the Virginia Department of Health’s list of safety tipsto stay protected from the extreme conditions.
Crashes
For the entire duration of this storm system – from midnight Friday (Jan. 22), through 6 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 23) – Virginia State Police have fielded 5,673 total calls for service, including 1,324 total traffic crashes and 1,683 total disabled vehicles statewide.
The VSP Chesapeake Division, which includes Hampton Roads and the surrounding area, has responded to the most traffic crashes during the entire storm – 499.
“Road conditions remain hazardous with drifting snow and white-out conditions across much of the state,” Geller said. “There may be no snow in Hampton Roads, but traffic crashes continue to plague the region due to slick, icy roads.”
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe also urged residents to stay off the roads
“Tomorrow there is a chance that the sun could possibility come out. We are begging folk not to come out,” he added. “Please stay off the road tomorrow and Monday.”
For live updates on the storm and local conditions, visit our live blog:
LIVE UPDATES: Winter storm brings a bit more snow and ice Saturday night
