PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – With the winter storm now behind us, cities around the region are now tasked with removing up to a foot of snow in some areas — making the secondary roads a continuing problem for drivers in the area.
A drastic drop in temperatures overnight and into the early morning caused a re-freeze on many roads, leading to unsafe driving conditions even on the paved main roads.
Yorktown. Courtesy of Heather Stafford. 
The Edinburgh area of Chesapeake. Courtesy of Ashley Link 
The Edinburgh area of Chesapeake. Courtesy of Ashley Link 
Norfolk, near Lafayette Park. Courtesy of TJ Fletcher. 
Norfolk, near Lafayette Park. Courtesy of TJ Fletcher. 
Norfolk, near Lafayette Park. Courtesy of TJ Fletcher. 
Portsmouth. Courtesy of Terrie L. 
Portsmouth. Courtesy of Terrie L. 
Portsmouth. Courtesy of Terrie L. 
Portsmouth. Courtesy of Terrie L. 
Portsmouth. Courtesy of Terrie L. 
Portsmouth. Courtesy of Terrie L. 
Spurlane Circle in Chesapeake. Courtesy of Robert Rosenburg. 
Plantation Woods in Chesapeake. Courtesy of Julio Flores. 
Plantation Woods in Chesapeake. Courtesy of Julio Flores. 
Plantation Woods in Chesapeake. Courtesy of Julio Flores.
The ice won’t last forever, however. WAVY Meteorologist Jeremy Wheeler said the sun and above freezing temperatures on Friday will allow for more of the snow and ice to melt, making it slightly easier to drive into the weekend.
10 On Your Side’s Deja Parker was in Newport News Friday morning, where slick black ice covered much of the road on Roanoke Avenue.
“Go up on the side road. The main roads are really good. But these side roads are treacherous,” said Lyft driver Donald Jefferson.
He says he’s taking it slow until the snow melts.
“I ain’t going too fast. I’m taking my time and that’s it. You know, I’ve been all the way from LaSalle, all the way down here to Newport News, so it’s been pretty good. So that will slow me down a little bit today,” said Jefferson.
As the snow continues to melt it could refreeze tonight. Sidewalks in Newport News also are icy, be sure to take precaution. It’s better to be safe and stay home off the roads.
“Just be careful and drive cautious. You know, don’t create. I do left two and I’m going to do that as soon as I finish this. You just take your time. That’s all going in no rush,” said Jefferson.
In Virginia Beach, WAVY’s Keagan Hughes said the roads in the resort city were not any better. Secondary roads in the city were covered in a thick ice after last night’s re-freeze.
“The roads are super thick with ice,” said Beth Tignor.
Tignor was braving the cold. She was attempting to break the ice and clear a path from the front door to the street.
“I came out this morning to shovel and put some ice melt down because I know some of my tenants might have to head out to work,” said Tignor.
While the highways fared much better, drivers are still asked to proceed with caution while traveling. Virginia State Police urge drivers to increase following distance, slow down and to not tailgate while the roads remain icy.
“They’ve been plowed, but it’s going to take a while for it to melt. So, getting down here from Witch Duck Point was okay; I’d rather not have been traveling down on the beach roads because I don’t think those were addressed as much. But I think the sun is going to help a lot today,” said Tignor.
WAVY’s team coverage will continue throughout the day. Stay tuned on air and online for updates on road conditions throughout the area.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
