The Photograph: HIGH WINDS FELL TREES, CLOSE ROADS

HIGH WINDS FELL TREES, CLOSE ROADS

VDOT crews across Central Virginia clearing debris in wake of storm

CULPEPER – Crews from the Virginia Department of Transportation have been working since late Sunday evening to clear trees and branches from area roadways. With wind gusts as high as 60 miles per hour reported across Central Virginia, many roads have been closed by power lines, fallen trees and other debris.

Culpeper District VDOT maintenance managers estimated that crews have responded to several hundred reports of uprooted and broken trees felled by the winds as well as branches and other debris blocking the roads. VDOT crews are coordinating their work with utility companies since some of the trees were tangled with power lines as they fell, creating dangerous conditions for motorists and emergency responders alike. A VDOT truck was struck by a falling tree in Albemarle County , no one was injured in that incident.

With the high winds forecast to continue blowing until early Tuesday morning, VDOT crews will continue working through the night to clear roads and assist utility crews in their operations to restore electrical power and other services affected by the storm.

VDOT offers the following safety tips for motorists who are traveling Monday evening and early Tuesday morning:

· Be alert for tree limbs and other debris in the roadway. Even small branches and other debris can damage a car or cause the driver to lose control.

· Assume all fallen power lines are electrified and dangerous. Never attempt to drive across or step over fallen utility lines.

· Drive at a speed that enables you to safely stop within the range illuminated by the vehicle’s headlights.

· The danger is greatest in areas where trees are near to or overhanging the roadway. Use extra caution when driving in those areas.

· Expect the unexpected. Be prepared to slow or stop quickly and without warning.

For the latest information on weather and road conditions, call 511 from any telephone in Virginia . Before you leave, traffic and travel information is available on the Web, www.511Virginia.org.