Photo: VDOT
A disaster has unfolded on I-95 in Virginia following a winter storm and subsequent freezing temperatures overnight.
An estimated hundreds of drivers have been stranded for more than 16 hours on a 50-mile stretch of the highway after multiple tractor trailers crashed.
At the time of this writing, I-95 is closed from near the District of Columbia border all the way to around Kings Dominion.
The tractor trailer accident happened Monday afternoon and crippled the highway during difficult conditions. Authorities were unable to move the trucks as snow continued to fall.
Social media messages plead for help as many motorists became trapped on the highway, running out of fuel, food and water.
VDOT crews deployed to some stretches of the highway began assisting these drivers.
The Virginia State Police say they have received over 2,000 calls for service due to the road conditions.
They also released the following statement: "Due to the heavy snowfall concentrated in that area, road conditions rapidly turned treacherous for commercial and passenger vehicles. VSP troopers, wreckers, and VDOT crews continue to work as quickly as the weather and roads will safely permit to get stuck vehicles cleared and traffic moving again on I-95."