by Jackie Nunnery
KILMARNOCK—Another week and another few inches of snow—about 4.5 to 5.5 inches—fell across the lower Northern Neck according to the National Weather Service.
The winter storm, which began late morning Wednesday, February 19, and continued to early Thursday morning, February 20, forced the cancellation of many events and closings of schools, county offices and courts.
Despite the treacherous road conditions, Lancaster County Sheriff Patrick McCranie said the department responded to just two accidents. “People heeded the call to stay off the roads during the storm this time. We had two traffic accidents, unlike last week when we had 14 crashes and vehicles running into the ditch,” said Sheriff McCranie.
It was a similar story in Northumberland County where Sheriff Johnny Beauchamp said they had just one traffic accident and five stranded motorists.
Although many roads were relatively clear by mid-day Thursday, freezing temperatures overnight led to icy roads and a two-hour delayed opening for schools in Lancaster and an at-home learning day for Northumberland schools on Friday, February 21.
Statewide, the Virginia State Police reported 539 crashes from the start of the storm to 11 a.m. Thursday. Forty-five of the crashes were reported with related injuries, said Sgt. Jessica B. Shehan, master public information officer.
In Division 1, which includes the cities of Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and the counties of Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Essex, Goochland, Henrico, King & Queen, King William, Lancaster, Louisa, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Prince George, Powhatan, Richmond and Westmoreland, there were 69 accidents with six reported to have injuries, she said.
The third substantial snowfall of the season in the Northern Neck was fortunately a dry, light and fluffy one, which didn’t result in major power outages or accidents. And it made for easier clearing of vehicles, sidewalks and roadways.
While rain is in the forecast for today and tonight, February 27, temperatures are expected to range from near 60 degrees during the day dropping to near 40 degrees into the night.
