DEVELOPING STORY: Thousands of motorists have been stranded on a 90-mile stretch of Interstate 95 for more than 24 hours – without food or water – shivering in their cars.
The interstate was buried under more than a foot of snowfall. There are reports of motorists running out of food and gas. Photos show cars and big rigs stuck in huge snow drifts — something out of an apocalyptic movie.
“Everybody right now is just sleeping it off,” said Marvin Romero, who has been stranded in his car with his two daughters since 3 p.m. Monday.
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”[We’ve been] waiting for the time when we can finally be free from this,” he told television station WRIC. “I’m here with my daughter, my other daughter is in the back sleeping, this was totally unexpected. Thankfully, we had some water. I actually walked around handing water out to people who may need the little I had myself.”
Outraged citizens are demanding to know why the Virginia Department of Transportation was not prepared to plow the interstates. And why hasn’t out-going Democrat Gov. Ralph Northam called out the National Guard?
VDOT and Gov. Ralph Northam’s office have not returned multiple requests from journalists for an update on reopening efforts.
“Some people were seen abandoning their vehicles in snow-covered travel lanes, walking down I-95 to parts unknown,” WTOP traffic reporter Dave Dildine said. “Some callers were sobbing and scared. Psychologically is it extremely distressing to be motionless on a highway for hours on end without knowing how much longer it will last.”
The question now is how long people are going to be trapped in their cars.
“We have been sitting on I-95 north since 9 pm. Have not seen a single State Trooper. No emergency help. Cars are all turned off so we don’t run out of gas. But freezing. Emergency numbers don’t answer. So we have NO idea what’s happening. Someone should come by,” motorist Cleta Mitchell wrote on Twitter.
This is why you should avoid travel ⬇️ This is I-95 city side near Rappahannock River. Heavy snow continues to fall with our crews & emergency responders in same conditions. Additional staffing, equipment & resources are being shifted to #FXBG area to respond to winter storm. pic.twitter.com/bbRVWDkg1A
— VDOT Fredericksburg (@VaDOTFRED) January 3, 2022
Total disaster on I-95 in VA. @VaDOT says the road is closed between Dumfries Road and Ruther Glen. 48 MILE CLOSURE! DO NOT GET ON 95! Drivers begging Gov. Northam to declare a state of emergency so that National Guard troops can assist. @nbcwashington @RalphNortham pic.twitter.com/ofdv2LRKMK
— First4Traffic (@First4Traffic) January 4, 2022
LISTEN: Drivers tell @7NewsDC about being stuck on I-95 for 12 hours without food, bathrooms, and now — running out of gas. This started after trucks jack-knifed, preventing plows from coming through or traffic to flow. Now — stalled cars are making the situation worse. pic.twitter.com/FxBDUXmFdK
— Ashlie Rodriguez 7News (@Ashlie7News) January 4, 2022
#BREAKING: I-95 NB & SB CLOSED between exit 152 (Dumfries) and exit 104 (Carmel Church). More: https://t.co/KMb67sifDM pic.twitter.com/Eu70iCjS2R
— VDOT Northern VA ? (@VaDOTNOVA) January 4, 2022
.@JoshNBCNews joins us from his car on I-95, where he has been stuck overnight with his dog as a result of the winter weather. pic.twitter.com/s2nN4uaqp6
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) January 4, 2022
We’ve been getting calls from people stranded on I-95 for up to 16 HOURS!!
— John Rogers (@JohnRogers8News) January 4, 2022
People running out of gas and food while stuck in awful backups lasting for miles and miles.
We’ll be covering it all this morning on @8NEWS pic.twitter.com/XdJvgMBF57
Here’s a look at 5:45am on I95 north near Dumfries. pic.twitter.com/hDfcy8bEYz
— John Rogers (@JohnRogers8News) January 4, 2022
People have been calling us scared and desperate for information https://t.co/cQirRfftYW
— John Rogers (@JohnRogers8News) January 4, 2022
A winter storm caused dozens of people to become trapped in their vehicles for hours along I-95. @ginger_zee has more on the travel turmoil. https://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/9UEzB52WX4
— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 4, 2022
I just interviewed a Virginia Beach resident named Andy who has been trapped on I-95 near Dumfries since 7:30 last night. This is what he is seeing on the ground. His full story on FOX43 in minutes. @WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/7EuTs8g8sC
— Katie Collett (@KatieCollettTV) January 4, 2022
