Heavy Snow in Virginia, January 27 to 28, 1998

Heavy wet snow developed during the morning hours on the 27th and continued until the morning hours on the 28th. The snow mixed with sleet and rain at times during the evening hours on the 27th. Snowfall amounts were mainly from 15 to 32 inches with maximum snow depths mainly from 8 to 20 inches.The heavy wet snow closed schools, businesses, and church services and stranded people in homes and vehicles. There were numerous traffic accidents, some with injuries indirectly attributed to the storm. A charter bus overturned on interstate 81 near Marion, injuring 20 people. Interstate 81 was closed for several hours during the height of the storm. The weight of the snow knocked down utility lines, trees, and tree limbs, resulting in thousands of people without power. At one time, 75 percent of Tazewell County was without power. Awnings, carports, buildings, and a welding shop in Galax were damaged due to the weight of the snow. Shelters were set up and the National Guard was called out.A 34 year old man in Boissevain in Tazewell County suffered an asthma attack at his residence shortly after midnight on the 28th. As a result of downed trees and tree limbs and extremely hazardous road conditions due to the snow, it took an extremely long time for help to safely reach the man. The man died prior to the arrival of help.