Gadsden County, FL - A Florida Highway Patrol trooper’s vehicle slid off the icy roads Tuesday as a result of the rare winter storm sweeping across northwest Florida.
The incident occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Interstate-10 near Exit 28, where the patrol car lost traction and slid into the median.
After several unsuccessful attempts to return to the road, a second patrol car and a semi-truck arrived to assist, eventually pulling the vehicle back onto the highway.
While many drivers have heeded law enforcement’s advice to stay off the roads, some traffic persists despite deteriorating conditions caused by the winter storm.
The National Weather Service has placed the region under a winter storm warning until 6 a.m. Wednesday, forecasting snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches in some areas.
The Panhandle and North Florida’s Big Bend region were also under an extreme cold warning Tuesday, with ice buildup expected to reach up to half an inch, potentially leading to hazardous roads and widespread power outages.
State Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
“If you do not need to be on the road, do not be on the road,” Guthrie told the Pensacola News Journal.
“If you have to drive, reduce your speed and ensure you are familiar with handling icy conditions. If not, walking might be the safer option.”