Photos: Winter Storm Closes Businesses, Causes Traffic Headaches

Several inches of snow and freezing rain fell over Central Virginia Thursday, closing schools and businesses and putting a damper on holiday shopping. Hundreds of accidents were also reported throughout the metro area when snow began sticking immediately to below freezing asphalt just after rush hour. The powdery, dry consistency of the snow caused it […]

December 17, 2010; 11:33 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

The powdery, dry consistency of the snow caused it to blow around the roadway, with cars easily clearing a path in well-traveled lanes. As the snow began to mix with freezing rain and sleet, however, even West Broad Street and Interstates 64 and 295 became glazed with a sheet of ice.

At Short Pump Town Center, where even the fountain of “short pumps” iced over, a handful of shoppers braved the elements and continued their holiday shopping, as a majority of stores remained open for business. A fair amount of adjacent shops and restaurants, however, closed for the day by early afternoon as conditions deteriorated.

Henrico County Public Schools, who closed for Thursday, remained closed Friday as roadways began to thaw out. At press time, major arteries were generally clear with some slushy spots lingering, while VDOT and Henrico County crews continued to plow back roads and generally uncleared neighborhood streets.

Photos from around Short Pump, including Short Pump Town Center, can be seen below.