Ten Virginia State Police Tips to get you through Hurricane Helene

As the Virginia State Police prepares for the Hurricane Helene, Virginians are also encouraged to get ready and plan ahead. Forecasts are currently calling for regions of the Commonwealth to get multiple inches of rain.

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.  To prevent unnecessary traffic crashes from occurring on Virginia’s highways during Helene, state police advises residents to postpone travel plans and avoid driving, when possible.

1. If you live in an area prone to flash flooding, Virginia State Police encourages you to find shelter in another location.

2. 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. Increasing your visibility helps you to avoid slick, wet, and dangerous spots on the road, to include standing water and/or flooding. Headlights also help other drivers see you better.

3. Don’t drive through standing water.  As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.  Standing water can also mask issues below the water’s surface.  Turn around, don’t drown.

4. Slow your driving speed. Though state police works closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to identify problem areas on Virginia’s highways during a storm, drivers still must drive for conditions. Slowing your speed gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash.

5. Drive your vehicle based on your ability to properly maintain control of your vehicle.

6. Don’t tailgate. You need increased stopping distance on slick or wet road surfaces. Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you in order to avoid rear end collisions.

7. Buckle Up. Most crashes that occur during inclement weather are caused by vehicles sliding off the road or other vehicles. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash.

8. Put down your phone. Having to drive in heavy rain requires a driver’s full, uninterrupted attention. 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.

9. Check Your Vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order for the conditions. Fill up the tank in advance. Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.

10. Don’t leave home without bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.