RICHMOND—With heavy rains swelling rivers and streams throughout the commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) continues to have crews ready to respond and reroute motorists when flooding makes roads impassable to traffic. As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, more than 225 roads were closed statewide due to flooding, with additional closures expected throughout the day as rivers and streams continue to rise. VDOT crews are also doing emergency roadway repair work, cleaning clogged drains and removing downed trees and limbs to keep roadways safe for motorists.

VDOT reminds motorists that the best way to protect themselves and their families, and to minimize the impact to their commuting times during heavy rains, is to know the road conditions before they leave home. Drivers can log onto www.Virginiadot.org for the latest on local road conditions throughout the commonwealth, and call 511 for traffic information on major thoroughfares while they are on the road.

Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution while traveling on roadways that may be in low-lying areas or on roads that are prone to flooding.
• Remember never to drive through standing water, as you may lose control of your vehicle.
• Rapidly rising water may engulf your vehicle and sweep it away. According to the National Weather Service, two feet of water will carry away most automobiles. Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are automobile-based.
• There is also no way to tell if flooded roadways have been washed out by swift-moving waters.
• If you come across a flooded roadway that has not been barricaded, turn around and use an alternate route.

For more information about road conditions, logo onto VirginiaDOT.org or call 511.

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Page last modified: June 28, 2006