Stay Where You Are: Chief Says Slick Roads, Accidents Snarling Traffic; 50-Car Pileup on I64W - Updated 2:20 P.M.

By WYDaily Staff Wednesday, February 10, 2010

If you don’t have to get in the car, don’t. That’s James City County Fire Chief Tal Luton’s advice to motorists who are considering getting out in the blizzard. Emergency crews from local police and fire departments are trying to cope with multiple weather-related accidents.

A WYDaily reader called around 11:15 a.m. to report a 50-plus vehicle pileup on I-64 Westbound near the Busch Gardens exit. Traffic was backed up five miles, and emergency officials were rerouting vehicles at Lee Hall, exit 247. As of 2:15 p.m. emergency crews were still on site, but the scene had cleared considerably. The westbound right lane remains closed, and traffic backups are approximately 1.5 miles. There are no detours in place at this time.Click ">here to see a YouTube video of the pileup.

Travel on Route 199 is restricted, too, Luton said.

Shortly after 10 a.m. Luton told WYDaily that Interstate 64 was impassable in some areas, with a crashed tractor-trailer in Croaker blocking westbound traffic on I-64. He said a firetruck had been stuck on I-64 near Grove, and just recently was able to pull out.

A high wind advisory later this afternoon, with gusts up to 50 mph expected, could make travel even more complicated.
Luton says motorists should go out only if absolutely necessary, which many parents now face with Williamsburg James City public schools observing early dismissal schedules due to weather. If you do have to travel, county officials recommend taking a cell phone in case of an emergency.

Residents are advised to stay tuned to local media, including WYDaily and its Hometown Connection radio stations 92.3FM The Tide and 107.9 BACHfm, for the latest weather updates. County closings and weather-related information will be posted on the County Web site, JCC TV48, Facebook and the County’s emergency hotline, (757) 875-2424.