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| Light snow, untreated roads cause slick streets and a traffic nightmare | Light snow, untreated roads cause slick streets and a traffic nightmare |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| If Wednesday night was the Washington area’s dress rehearsal for this weekend’s winter storm, then we need a lot of practice — and fast. | If Wednesday night was the Washington area’s dress rehearsal for this weekend’s winter storm, then we need a lot of practice — and fast. |
| Authorities across the region said a light snow began to make area roads slick around 7 p.m. and caused a traffic nightmare, bringing traffic to a standstill throughout the region. | Authorities across the region said a light snow began to make area roads slick around 7 p.m. and caused a traffic nightmare, bringing traffic to a standstill throughout the region. |
| With about an inch of snow in many spots, drivers across the District and on major thoroughfares throughout the suburbs said they crept along, barely moving down mostly untreated roads clogged with delayed evening commuters. | With about an inch of snow in many spots, drivers across the District and on major thoroughfares throughout the suburbs said they crept along, barely moving down mostly untreated roads clogged with delayed evening commuters. |
| [How to prepare for this weekend’s high-impact winter storm] | |
| Across the region, emergency responders got calls about numerous traffic accidents caused by slippery conditions on roads that apparently had not been treated. | Across the region, emergency responders got calls about numerous traffic accidents caused by slippery conditions on roads that apparently had not been treated. |
| Michael Czin, a spokesman for Mayor Muriel Bowser, said that the District’s 911 and 311 lines were burdened Wednesday night by an unusually high number of calls, mostly about snow-related fender benders. | Michael Czin, a spokesman for Mayor Muriel Bowser, said that the District’s 911 and 311 lines were burdened Wednesday night by an unusually high number of calls, mostly about snow-related fender benders. |
| Some callers had difficulty connecting to 911. Czin encouraged residents not to call unless it was a true emergency, and to use the 311 cell phone app instead. | Some callers had difficulty connecting to 911. Czin encouraged residents not to call unless it was a true emergency, and to use the 311 cell phone app instead. |
| [Capital Weather Gang: How to prepare for an epic snowstorm] | |
| “Top recommendation: If you don’t have to drive stay home,” said Mark Brady, a Prince George’s County fire department spokesman. “Let road crews clear lanes to allow public safety clear access.” | “Top recommendation: If you don’t have to drive stay home,” said Mark Brady, a Prince George’s County fire department spokesman. “Let road crews clear lanes to allow public safety clear access.” |
| In Montgomery County, rescue crews responded to dozens of accidents and officials placed their communications center on “code red” status to deal with call volume. | In Montgomery County, rescue crews responded to dozens of accidents and officials placed their communications center on “code red” status to deal with call volume. |
| “We are quite busy, in particular on the beltway, Route 29, and I 270. We had a rash of wrecks in the Burtonsville and White Oak areas,” said Pete Piringer, a spokesman for the county fire and EMS department. | “We are quite busy, in particular on the beltway, Route 29, and I 270. We had a rash of wrecks in the Burtonsville and White Oak areas,” said Pete Piringer, a spokesman for the county fire and EMS department. |
| Fairfax County police responded to, or been called to, more than 50 crashes, which did not include calls for stuck vehicles and other hazards, officials said. | Fairfax County police responded to, or been called to, more than 50 crashes, which did not include calls for stuck vehicles and other hazards, officials said. |
| “Slow down, move over,” said Piringer. “These conditions affect emergency response like everyone else,” he said. | “Slow down, move over,” said Piringer. “These conditions affect emergency response like everyone else,” he said. |
| [The suggestion box is open. Name the winter storm!] | |
| In Alexandria, officials said they responded to a few fender benders as hills and ramps quickly became slick. | In Alexandria, officials said they responded to a few fender benders as hills and ramps quickly became slick. |
| Fairfax County officials reported sheets of ice in spots throughout their jurisdiction, where police responded to accidents and poor conditions on major roads such as I-495 near Route 50 and Van Dorn Street; I-95 near the Fairfax County Parkway and Braddock Road at the intersection of Clifton Road. | Fairfax County officials reported sheets of ice in spots throughout their jurisdiction, where police responded to accidents and poor conditions on major roads such as I-495 near Route 50 and Van Dorn Street; I-95 near the Fairfax County Parkway and Braddock Road at the intersection of Clifton Road. |
| Prince William County authorities said the eastern areas were plagued by crashes and icy conditions, creating blockages of major commuter routes such as Routes 1 and 234, in addition to many smaller roads. | Prince William County authorities said the eastern areas were plagued by crashes and icy conditions, creating blockages of major commuter routes such as Routes 1 and 234, in addition to many smaller roads. |
| In D.C., police responded to several accidents that backed up traffic: from a hit-and run on Alabama Avenue SE to another accident to slow moving traffic on the 14th Street bridge because of disabled vehicles and police shutdown the Third Street Tunnel’s southbound ramp because of icy conditions. | In D.C., police responded to several accidents that backed up traffic: from a hit-and run on Alabama Avenue SE to another accident to slow moving traffic on the 14th Street bridge because of disabled vehicles and police shutdown the Third Street Tunnel’s southbound ramp because of icy conditions. |
| Police requested a salt truck to treat the roadway on the bridge. | Police requested a salt truck to treat the roadway on the bridge. |
| “I can’t even keep track of all of them,” said a dispatcher. | “I can’t even keep track of all of them,” said a dispatcher. |
| Metro officials said that all bus lines continued to operate but that buses were delayed between 20 and 40 minutes due to the road conditions and traffic delays. | Metro officials said that all bus lines continued to operate but that buses were delayed between 20 and 40 minutes due to the road conditions and traffic delays. |
| [If you must travel this weekend, here’s how to do it.] | |
| Julie Zauzmer contributed to this report. | Julie Zauzmer contributed to this report. |