RICHMOND—The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is gearing up for possible flooding and roadway damage due to heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Ernesto. VDOT is in close contact with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service as Virginia prepares for the impacts of the tropical storm.

VDOT has placed crews on standby to close roadways that flood and repair flood-related damage. Crews have spent the last several days ensuring that equipment is prepared and cleaning ditches and drainage structures to handle the heavy rains.

VDOT reminds motorists who do travel on this holiday weekend to know the road conditions before they leave home. Throughout the weekend, drivers can log onto VirginiaDOT.org for the latest list of flooded roads throughout the commonwealth and call 511 for traffic information on major thoroughfares while they are on the road. VDOT will post any flood-related road closures in the yellow banner on the VDOT home page should Ernesto cause widespread flooding and road damage.

Drivers should use extreme caution while traveling throughout the commonwealth during the next few days, especially in low-lying areas or on roads that are prone to flooding.

• Remember never to drive through standing water, as you might lose control of your vehicle.
• Rapidly rising water could 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 no way to tell if flooded roads have been washed out by swift-moving waters.
• If you come across a flooded road that has not been barricaded, turn around and use an alternate route.

VDOT’s key role is responding to storms such as Ernesto is to open roads as quickly and safely as possible. Other responsibilities include:

• Setting up traffic control and detours and assisting with traffic control for evacuations
• Removing debris and branches from roadways and coordinating clean-up with other entities – such as power companies
• Making emergency repairs to damaged roads and bridges
• Assessing damages and providing emergency engineering services
• Coordinating long-term recovery to restore transportation infrastructure
• Providing emergency plans and procedures
• Providing back-up communications to support emergency response and recovery operations
• Communicating road condition information to the public through the Transportation Emergency Operations Center and Public Affairs

Nearly 3,900 VDOT employees plus contractors are ready to go should the storm have statewide impact.

For more information visit:

• www.vaemergency.com - general hurricane and storm information, status of Virginia response efforts and the latest information about storm damage and response statewide.


• www.VirginiaDOT.org - road condition information on interstates and primaries managed by VDOT.


• Call 511 or visit www.511Virginia.org – for the latest road conditions on major highways throughout the commonwealth


• Highway Helpline (800) 367-ROAD - to report flooded roads or road damage.

Page last modified: Aug. 31, 2006