Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 28, 1994 TAG: 9401280084
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Police and sheriff's deparments throughout the area reported numerous wrecks associated with the bad weather - many occurring as drivers tried to get to and from work.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office alone reported approximately 30 minor accidents after 5 p.m.
In Franklin County, a crash near the Hales Ford Bridge on Virginia 122 Thursday evening left two injured and held up traffic, according to police. The names of the injured were not released, both were taken to Bedford Memorial Hospital, police said.
Along U.S. 220 near Boones Mill Thursday morning, cars were strewn along the shoulders of the road.
Franklin County Sheriff W.Q. Overton said 10 reportable accidents had occurred in the county by 1 p.m. But many more cars had slipped off roadways throughout the county.
State police said about 40 accidents had been reported in Henry County alone by 10 a.m.
"We had a slew of wrecks down there," Sgt. E.G. Moses said.
Moses said the number of fender-benders around Roanoke seemed to be higher than normal.
Roanoke dispatchers reported several accidents Thursday morning on the Roy L. Webber Highway. Police Lt. Ramey Bower, who heads the traffic division, said more than a dozen minor accidents were reported in the city.
On U.S. 220 south of Roanoke, Roanoke County officers were calling for trucks to spread chemicals on the ice-slickened highway.
Lt. H.A. Phillips said county officers received many calls about cars sliding off the road.
In all, 29 accidents were reported to county dispatchers Thursday morning. In one of the worst, a woman driving on Virginia 311 struck a utility pole after her car spun on ice. She received minor injuries.
Lt. Marty Hauschildt of the Blacksburg Police Department said the town had its share of accidents Thursday morning, but no major problems.
A driver passing through Dublin early in the morning found himself behind four cars that skidded when the driver at the front of the line tried to brake. Luckily, they all managed to avoid hitting one another.
With a forecast of warmer temperatures in the afternoon, school districts throughout the region flirted with the idea of starting classes late. But with chilly temperatures continuing at midday, most had canceled.
The National Weather Service said cold air from the Atlantic mixed with warmer air to produce moisture that froze when it hit the ground.
According to the Weather Service forecast issued at 8 p.m. Thursday, the ice may be followed by heavy rains - and possible flooding - today for the counties west of Roanoke. A winter weather advisory was to remain in effect until midnight for Southwest Virginia with a flood watch issued for Friday.
Thursday afternoon and early evening temperatures remained around 29 degrees in the Roanoke and New River valleys. A gradual temperature increase was expected to continue into the morning.
Staff writer Todd Jackson contributed information to this story.
by CNB