WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Drivers from Virginia were left stranded overnight after authorities closed Interstate 95 due to icy conditions. The closure was made following a snowstorm that blanketed the region. Officials said Tuesday.

The Virginia Department of Transportation stated that I-95 was closed in both directions at Fredricksburg. It is a major north-south highway, approximately 55 miles (89km).

“Our crews work tirelessly to help everyone get off 95. “Plans are being made to help vehicles that have stopped along the interstate get to interchanges nearby, so they can take alternate routes,” said the agency in a Tweet (NYSE) message.

According to local media, the standstill started Monday when more than one foot (30 cm) snow fell in areas of the U.S. Southeast, mid-Atlantic, and caused multiple spin-outs and crashes. As temperatures plunged below freezing overnight, highway paralysis continued.

Governor Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that both state and local emergency personnel were on hand throughout the night to help disabled cars, clear fallen trees and redirect drivers.

He tweeted, “While sunshine is expected to assist @VaDOT to clear the road,”

Posts from drivers who were trapped in freezing temperatures for long periods of time on social media were flooding in.

“We’ve been here for more than 10 hours. We have dogs, and must go to the bathroom. Plus we need fuel. One driver posted that there are no hotels nearby.

Fast-moving winds forced closures of schools and federal offices, ground planes, and cut off electricity for thousands.