CULPEPER – Heavy rains and below-freezing temperatures combined overnight Friday to close some secondary roads due to high water and left other roads covered with a glaze of ice early Saturday morning.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is continuing its warning to motorists to use caution while traveling this weekend, particularly on secondary roads and in flood-prone areas. With temperatures predicted to fall below freezing overnight through the weekend motorists should also be alert for icy spots as water freezes on the road surface.

Many of the roads near the Blue Ridge Mountains that were closed by high water on Friday have been reopened as the high water recedes but other roads in several counties across Central Virginia have been closed as the water rises downstream. Other roads may be closed over the weekend as the flooding moves downriver. VDOT crews will continue to monitor road conditions through the weekend and respond to any reports of flooding or damage from the storm.

VDOT crews in Albemarle County reported icing conditions overnight Friday on Interstate 64 and Route 250 on Afton Mountain and similar conditions on Route 33 in Greene County as it crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains. In northern Fauquier County 4 ½ inches of snow was reported at Paris Mountain; the rest of the Culpeper District reported anywhere from a dusting of snow to about 2 inches accumulation.

In addition to the danger of flooded roads, motorists traveling through the weekend, particularly at night, should also be alert for freezing conditions on bridges, overpasses, ramps and intersections as well as on roads at higher elevations. They may also encounter dense fog on the Blue Ridge Mountain passes.

At 11 a.m., the following roads are closed due to high water:



Albemarle County
Route 712
Route 713

Louisa County
Route 644 from Route 606 to Route 33
Route 646 from Route 697 to Route 604
Routes 647 from Route 522 to Route 640
Route 651 at the Orange County line

Madison County
Route 603 from Route 602 to Route 643
Route 618 from Route 631 to the Culpeper County line
Route 642 from Route 670 to Route 650
Route 644 from Route 643 to Route 646

Orange County
Route 602 from Route 692 to Route 611
Route 603 from Route 614 to Route 611
Route 619 from Route 624 to Route 692
Route 651 from Route 612 to Route 669 at the Louisa County line
Route 666 from Route 627 to Route 617

Motorists are reminded to observe the following precautions while driving during storms and when flooding has been reported:

• Never drive through water flowing across a road. It takes only six inches of water to float a small vehicle. There may also be damage to the road surface below the water’s surface.
• Never drive around barricades. Remember, the road has been closed for your safety.
• Slow down when driving through standing water. Driving too fast through water could cause loss of control due to hydroplaning.
• Avoid flood-prone areas, especially along creeks and other low-lying areas.
• If a flash flood warning is broadcast, seek high ground immediately.
• Watch for debris on the roadway. If you encounter a downed power line, do not try to move the line.

Motorists can receive real-time information about road closings and weather conditions by dialing 511 on any telephone within Virginia, or on the Web at www.511Virginia.org.


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Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.

Page last modified: Jan. 17, 2008