UPDATE: Region digs out from storm; more flurries possible

RICHMOND, Va. -- The Richmond area faces a couple more days of slick, slushy roads and an increasing threat of power outages after an unusual December storm dropped more than 2 feet of snow on parts of Virginia.

Also, the National Weather Service says the region could see additional flurries late tonight and into tomorrow, making the morning commute more difficult.

The storm, which started Friday and tapered last night, was blamed for two deaths in Southwest Virginia and suspected in two others in Hampton Roads. It also stranded hundreds of travelers along the Interstate 81 corridor in western Virginia and caused numerous traffic problems.

Many of the Richmond region's interstates and primary roads were passable as of yesterday afternoon, allowing crews to begin clearing secondary roads and neighborhood streets of the more than a foot of snow that fell in some areas. However, officials warned that a return to freezing temperatures, additional snow and blowing snow could slow their efforts.

"People need to be prepared for a multi-day cleanup and clear-out," said Laura Southard, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

Highway crews have been working around the clock since Friday evening in an effort to clear roads. The Virginia Department of Transportation said its goal is to make all roads passable within 48 hours of the end of the storm.

Wrecks involving tractor-trailers and other large vehicles have blocked the highway, preventing crews from getting to the stranded motorists, she said. Travel conditions remained treacherous. with heavy snow still falling in the area.

"VDOT is assuming snow-management responsibilities from its contractor in parts of the I-81 corridor and adding state resources to other private contractors where necessary," Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said in a statement last night.

Officials spent much of the day urging drivers to stay off the roads.

"You can't drive in a foot of snow," Southard said.

Kaine, who declared a state of emergency Friday authorizing state agencies to help local governments respond to the storm, yesterday mobilized an additional 600 National Guardsmen to aid the effort; he had mobilized about 400 on Friday night. Statewide, more than 20 shelters were serving more than 400 people, and state police had responded to more than 2,900 accidents or disabled vehicles. Police discouraged motorists, including some newspaper-delivery drivers, from heading down unplowed streets.

Statewide, about 70,000 customers were without electricity last night, and officials feared that would increase with heavy snow and ice on power lines.

"We're concerned about power outages," Southard said, "and we wouldn't be surprised if that number went up."

The weather was blamed for a woman's death in Carroll County. Barbara L. Allen, 68, of Willis, was killed Friday after the sport utility vehicle she was driving overturned after running off state Route 664 near state Route 662, according to State Police.

Authorities were also trying to determine whether the storm caused the deaths of two people in Hampton. One person was killed in a vehicle wreck, and another appeared to die from exposure, Southard said. "It's likely that they are storm-related," she said.

A Florida woman suffered a broken clavicle and a dislocated shoulder when her car overturned yesterday morning on Interstate 295 in eastern Henrico County, according to the woman's sister, Michelle Felmly.

Felmly, who lives in Pennsylvania, was seeking help locating her sister's dog, a 6-year-old golden retriever mix named Chloe, who was ejected in the accident.

"The dog is absolutely everything to her," Felmly said of her sister, Allison Labar. "The whole family is just devastated."

Felmly urged anyone who may have picked up the dog, who may be wearing Florida tags, to call (570) 242-7618.

Across the state, the unusually strong storm for this time of year created scenes uncharacteristic of the weekend before Christmas.

Stores that had expected a big weekend in a down economy year struggled to open for few customers.

"We've probably had two [customers] or three, two maybe," Amber Hott of American Eagle Outfitters at Chesterfield Towne Center, said late yesterday morning. "That's crazy."

A big December snow is rare for Virginia because the ocean is still relatively warm, which works against producing snow, said David Tolleris, a commercial weather forecaster in Chesterfield County. But unusually cold air from the north collided with moisture from a nor'easter to produce the load of snow.

The storm caused about two-thirds of the flights at Richmond International Airport to be delayed or, in more cases, canceled, said airport spokesman Troy Bell. He estimated that 300 to 400 people waited many hours in the airport in hopes of catching a flight. "It's been a rough day." At the Greyhound bus station in the city, 500 travelers were stranded.

Contact Rex Springston at (804) 649-6453 or rspringston@timesdispatch.com.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones@timesdispatch.com.

Staff writer Karin Kapsidelis contributed to this report.