PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – While the impending winter storm is not expected to hit our area until later in the day, 10 On Your Side is working to make sure you are prepared.
Meteorologist Jeremy Wheeler said to make sure you have essentials, such as medication, food and supplies, before noon on Wednesday before the roads become too dangerous to travel.
Up on the peninsula, while drivers are urged to stay off the roads during the winter storm, WAVY’s Deja Parker is providing tips on how to do so safely for those who might not have a choice.
Before heading out, drivers are asked to clean all the snow off of your car and to keep a winter car kit handy — including warm clothes, snacks and a shovel. In addition, people are asked to increase their following distance and to slow down and move over if there is a stopped vehicle on the roadway.
Ryan Adcock with AAA Tidewater said they are prepared to help those who are stuck in the snow in the next coming days.
“Making sure that they are pulling off of the road as far away from traffic as they can, especially if they are on a busier road like Interstate 64 or 264,” Adcock said. “Just making sure that they have as much space between themselves and traffic as possible.”
Similarly, down on the southside, in Virginia Beach’s Town Center, WAVY’s Keagan Hughes said that VDOT is urging the public to stay off the roads once conditions get worse.
VDOT said its Hampton Roads division is working from the southside to the peninsula — and even as far as North Carolina and the Eastern Shore — covering the interstates and a few state maintained roads in an effort to keep drivers safe.
“It’s really prioritized by the highest volume traffic roads,” Brittany McBride, Communications Director with VDOT said. “So, we hit our intestate, and then our primary routes, which are usually routes numbered 1 to 599. And then we, after that, sometimes we also have some secondaries that we have to hit around that time too, if they are too critical, like a hospital or critical public facilities or high traffic volumes.”
Another important tip from VDOT: If you see a snowplow while driving, go slow to give the driver the space they need.
10 On Your Side will be providing team coverage throughout the day — stay tuned on air and online for updates.