(UPDATE) Busy day for first responders as snow hits Appomattox County

UPDATE 4 P.M.

The Virginia State Police reports that as of 3:49 p.m. today, 97 traffic crashes and 104 disabled vehicles were accounted for in the Appomattox Division, which includes the Town of Appomattox and surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Albemarle, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Halifax, Greene, Lunenburg, Prince Edward, Nelson, and Mecklenburg..

ORIGINAL ARTICLE 2:25 P.M.

Winter has officially arrived in Appomattox County as five-to-six inches of snow dumped itself on the area and resulting in a number of traffic accidents in the process.

Appomattox Fire Chief Jonathan Garrett said that the fire department has been busy since snow began to fall overnight.

The Virginia State Police reports that as of late this morning, 43 traffic crashes and 45 disabled vehicles were accounted for in the Appomattox Division, which includes the Town of Appomattox and surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Albemarle, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Halifax, Greene, Lunenburg, Prince Edward, Nelson, and Mecklenburg..

At 1:26 p.m. a tractor-trailer apparently lost control on a slushy patch of U.S. 460 East near Spout Spring and slid off the right side of the highway. The driver was not injured and no other vehicles were involved. Responding to the scene was Appomattox Volunteer Fire Department Engine 3, Crash 9, Command 1, and Virginia State Police.

Virginia State Police encourages people to stay home if possible and to use caution if it is necessary to travel. They offer the following advice:

If you must travel during the storm:

- Know Before You Go! Before heading out, check Virginia road conditions at www.511virginia.org or download the VDOT 511 app.

- Clear ALL snow and ice from the roof, trunk, hood and windows of your vehicle - car, SUV, minivan, pickup truck, commercial vehicle - before you travel.

- Use your headlights - in rain AND snow.

- Drive for conditions - slow your speed and increase your traveling distance between the vehicle ahead of you.

- Buckle Up.

- Avoid distractions - put down the phone.

- Do not call 911 or #77 for road conditions. Please keep these lines open for emergency calls.

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