UPDATE: High water closes many Pittsylvania County roads

A red Jeep Cherokee belonging to Kathy Shanks iss halved by a tree on Plantation Road on Wednesday night after a day of rain and gusting winds. Shanks explained how she found out about the accident, saying "My stepson told me, 'You need to call dad, there's a problem with your car.'" The vehicle was unoccupied at the time and no one was injured, but Shanks said she is worried about her home avoiding a similar fate through the night. Many reports of downed trees throughout the county came in throughout the day and increased in the evening on Wednesday.

By: From Staff Reports | GoDanRiver.com
Published: November 11, 2009

Updated 8:47 a.m.

Many Pittsylvania County roads have been closed because of high water, according to a news release from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Motorists should avoid driving during severe storms. But if you must drive, use these precautions:

· Be prepared to slow or stop without warning.

· At night, drive slow enough to be able to stop within the distance lit by the car’s headlights.

· Never drive through water that is running across a road. It only takes 6 to 12 inches of water to make a small car float.

· Stay off closed roads and don’t drive around barricades.

· Slow down when driving through standing water.

· Avoid flood-prone areas.

· Find high ground quickly during a flash flood warning.

· Watch for trees or limbs in the roadway.

· Never drive across or try to move power lines.

· Be extra careful when driving on roads that have trees near or hanging over the roadway.

For the latest information on traffic conditions, call 511 from any phone or check www.511Virginia.org.

Earlier

Rising waters and constant rain caused accidents and the closure of nearly a dozen roads in Pittsylvania County Wednesday night.

Virginia State Police Trooper D.S. Martin said three weather-related accidents occurred within in an hour of each other Wednesday afternoon, with one that occurred on Little Creek Road resulting in minor injuries. The other two happened at Dairy View and Tightsqueeze roads.

Jim Davis, director of emergency services for Pittsylvania County, advised drivers to use caution when traveling in the county and to report flooded roads that are not closed to 911.

The following roads, many of which are located in low-lying areas near streams and creeks prone to flooding, were reported closed at 4 p.m.:

Route 637 (Country Club Road)

Route 671 (Midway Road)

Route 694 (Dairy View Road)

Route 703 (Irish/Tightsqueeze Road)

Route 713 (Lester/Dodson Road)

Route 727 (Afton Road)

Route 728 (Hillside Drive)

Route 750 (Strawberry Road)

Route 792 (Millstream Road)

Route 856 (Cobbs Knobb Road)

Route 912 (Buck Horne Road)