This region is truly NOT equipped to deal with snow and as the snow continues to come down at a heavy rate, the Virginian Pilot reports that we've received the most snow in 21 years. Friends with homes fronting on Chesapeake Bay are experiencing 40 mph winds and we can hear the wind blowing across the harbor on the other side of our neighbors' home across the street. Here are some story highlights:
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The worst snowstorm to hit Hampton Roads in more than two decades likely will leave more than a foot of snow, and has closed businesses and shopping malls and left some roads impassable, including the Downtown Tunnel.
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Blizzard-like conditions transformed traveling on the snow-laden highways into a slow and dangerous proposition. As of about 1 p.m., police reported close to 250 automobile accidents – none fatal in South Hampton Roads. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel reduced speed limits to 25 mph and fleets of snow plows tried to keep main roads clear as inches of snow continued dumping on the region. Norfolk International Airport remained open, but many airlines cancelled or delayed flights.
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About nine inches had fallen as of 1:30 p.m., he said. The region should see at least three more inches today. Lawson said as much as 14 inches could fall in Norfolk and a foot and a half in central Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
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The Downtown Tunnel was closed today shortly after noon by state officials who pleaded with drivers to stay off the roads. Nora Chivers, a VDOT spokesperson, said heavy hands of snow created “near white-out conditions” at the tunnel.
The tunnel likely will remain closed until this evening, she said. Traffic is being diverted at Effingham Street in Portsmouth and at City Hall Avenue or Waterside Drive in downtown Norfolk. The Midtown Tunnel remains open, Chivers said. Many secondary roads in Hampton Roads could become impassable.
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The worst snowstorm to hit Hampton Roads in more than two decades likely will leave more than a foot of snow, and has closed businesses and shopping malls and left some roads impassable, including the Downtown Tunnel.
*
Blizzard-like conditions transformed traveling on the snow-laden highways into a slow and dangerous proposition. As of about 1 p.m., police reported close to 250 automobile accidents – none fatal in South Hampton Roads. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel reduced speed limits to 25 mph and fleets of snow plows tried to keep main roads clear as inches of snow continued dumping on the region. Norfolk International Airport remained open, but many airlines cancelled or delayed flights.
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About nine inches had fallen as of 1:30 p.m., he said. The region should see at least three more inches today. Lawson said as much as 14 inches could fall in Norfolk and a foot and a half in central Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
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The Downtown Tunnel was closed today shortly after noon by state officials who pleaded with drivers to stay off the roads. Nora Chivers, a VDOT spokesperson, said heavy hands of snow created “near white-out conditions” at the tunnel.
The tunnel likely will remain closed until this evening, she said. Traffic is being diverted at Effingham Street in Portsmouth and at City Hall Avenue or Waterside Drive in downtown Norfolk. The Midtown Tunnel remains open, Chivers said. Many secondary roads in Hampton Roads could become impassable.
1 comment:
Brrr--sounds harsh! Beautiful picture, though.
This has been a very weird winter. I am in Colorado and it has been very mild. There will surely be a lot of wildfires this coming summer as we didn't get the winter moisture.
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