The horror gridlock along both directions of the 50-mile stretch of Interstate 95 was the result of a nightmarish confluence of factors.
Virginia Department of Transportation via AP
A closed section of Interstate 95 near Fredericksburg, Virginia, on Monday.
An “unprecedented” traffic jam amid a foot of snow and icy roads has forced hundreds of motorists to spend the night in their vehicles on the Interstate 95 in Virginia between Richmond and Washington, DC.
The horror gridlock along both directions of the 50-mile stretch of road was the result of a nightmarish confluence of factors: A winter storm dumped 12 inches of snow in Fredericksburg area on Monday; freezing temperatures saw the roads turn to ice; trucks and tractor trailers slid and crashed into one another; downed trees turned into yet more roadblocks; and then yet more snow and ice accumulated around the disabled vehicles, making it exceedingly difficult for rescue workers to clear the roads.
The chaos ensnared scores of drivers for interminable lengths of time, some of whom were driving home after the holidays, others who were doing what was supposed to be a quick errand.
Good morning from I95 in Virginia where I have been trapped in my car for more than 20 hours.
I’m not sure but I think I now qualify for Virginia residency.
Twitter: @DeFede
6:33am – Been in gridlock traffic on I-95 north just south of Stafford, VA for over 9 hours. People turning off cars to save gas, then get cold & turn back on. People hitting point of no return, shielding themselves with car doors & pee in the street.
When do we get our jetpacks?
Twitter: @SAPOTUS
“We wish we had a timetable, ETA, or an educated guess on when travel will resume on I-95. It’s at a standstill in our area with multiple incidents,” Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officials wrote on Twitter on Monday night. “It’s frustrating & scary. Please know our crews don’t stop.”
VDOT said it was aware of some drivers who had been stuck on the interstate since Monday morning. “This is unprecedented,” VDOT Fredericksburg District Engineer Marcie Parker said in a statement, “and we continue to steadily move stopped trucks to make progress toward restoring lanes.”
Current traffic conditions on and around I–95 in Virginia south of Washington DC, affected by snow and accidents (red/white dashes show highway closures).
https://t.co/atPebL4oor
Twitter: @BuzzFeedStorm
Among those stuck was one of the state’s own US senators, Tim Kaine, who wrote on Twitter that what should have been a two-hour drive from his home in Virginia to DC had ballooned into 19 hours.
NBC News reporter Josh Lederman was another driver forced to spend the night with his dog in the backseat. As day broke, he began doing TV hits live from his stranded vehicle.
“There are miles and miles of people who have been backed up all night and are still waiting in their cars.”
@JoshNBCNews describes his experience being stuck in his car with his dog overnight on I-95 in Virginia after a winter storm slammed the area.
Twitter: @TODAYshow
Gov. Ralph Northam said state officials had worked throughout the night to try to clear the I-95.
“State and local emergency personnel are continuing to clear downed trees, assist disabled vehicles, and re-route drivers,” Northam said. “An emergency message is going to all stranded drivers connecting them to support, and the state is working with localities to open warming shelters as needed.”
Speaking in a Twitter Space for trapped motorists, one man said he survived the night by eating chocolate-covered cherries he had been gifted at Christmas. Another said he had been at a standstill since 11 p.m. just 1 mile from his house, but didn’t want to abandon his car despite being frustratingly close to home. “My car was also stuck in the middle of the road. I didn’t know the situation,” he said. “Unless it’s valet, I ain’t leaving it.”
Officials urged people to avoid the area and expected travel to remain hazardous for most of Tuesday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates or follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.