Flooding, downed trees impacting travel throughout Southwest Virginia

SALEM – The gusty winds and heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Michael yesterday created flooded roads, downed trees and power lines in western Virginia. As of 11 a.m., approximately 140 roads are closed or affected in the 12 counties of VDOT’s Salem District.

Crews are currently clearing debris and assessing roads throughout the region, coordinating with emergency and utility crews and making or scheduling repairs where possible. In some areas, water will need to recede before a road can be investigated or repaired. Their focus today will be to make roads safe and passable for traffic. If extensive repairs are needed, they will be coordinated and scheduled at a later date.

Drivers are encouraged to continue to monitor road conditions in your area prior to traveling.

The most up-to-date information about flooded roads is available at www.511Virginia.org. For information on specific roads, citizens can access the Road Table under the text views section of the site.

To report downed trees or debris on state maintained roads, citizens can contact VDOT’s customer service center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD.  

Drivers who are traveling today are reminded of the following:

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Never drive through water flowing across a road. It takes only six to 12 inches of water to float a small vehicle.
• Never drive around barricades. Remember, the road has been closed for your safety.
• Avoid flood-prone areas, especially along creeks and other low-lying areas.
• 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.
• If you come across a downed power line, do not try to move it. Contact your local authorities.

For updates throughout the day, follow us on Twitter at @VaDOTSalem and @511southwestva for the latest updates on road conditions.