VSP say roads may be dangerous after Hurricane Helene rainfall

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia State Police has joined in the calls for caution as Hurricane Helene heads to make landfall in Florida.

Although Virginia isn’t expected to be in direct course of the storm, state police are wanting motorists to be prepared for additional rainfall.

“Forecasts are currently calling for regions of the Commonwealth to get multiple inches of rain,” a release states. “Virginia State Police will have all available troopers and supervisors working in advance of and for the duration of the storm as it makes its way across the Commonwealth. Virginia State Police are also pre-positioning swift water rescue teams, drones, and aviation resources to those areas most likely impacted by the storm.”

If having to travel during Hurricane Helene, drivers are reminded to do the following:

• Use headlights. Virginia law requires headlights on when your windshield wipers are activated.
• Don’t drive through standing water. As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Slow your speed. Slowing your speed gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash.
• Don’t tailgate. Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you in order to avoid rear end collisions.
• Buckle Up. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash.
• Put down your phone. Do not text and drive or shoot video of the bad conditions while driving, as these actions put you, your passengers and other vehicles at extreme risk of a crash and/or injury.
• Check Your Vehicle. Fill up the tank in advance. Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.

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