Virginia urgent cares, emergency rooms saw more slip and fall injuries post-storm than in the past several years

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Central Virginians are still experiencing the effects of January's severe winter weather. Data from state health agencies shows it's caused more injuries than any storms in the past several years.

The Virginia Department of Health reported 12,099 visits to emergency departments and urgent cares related to slips, trips and falls in the week after the storm (Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, 2026). That's more than any other single week for at least the last four years.

"We haven't observed this many visits for slips, trips and falls during a seven-day period in the past several years (2022-2026)," said VDH enhanced surveillance epidemiologist Meredith Davis in a statement. "We do have more facilities reporting data to VDH now than in the past, but even when accounting for that, this year has been unusual."

Injuries were not isolated to that time period. On Monday, Feb. 9, Dr. Trenee West with Patient First said she saw several patients with injuries sustained on the snow and ice that morning.

"People are coming in with everything from fractures to muscle sprains," West said. "We're seeing back injuries, we're seeing bruises and hematomas."

In the week post-storm, the statewide daily average for urgent care visits more than doubled, compared to the month before, from 796.4 to 1728.4.

"Definitely a lot of patients that are inadvertently slipping, falling, not aware that there may be slick surfaces or ice that is still lingering around," West said.

West said these injuries don't always heal quickly, either.

"Even if it's as simple as a back strain or a pulled muscle, you're probably looking at a couple of days of not feeling like yourself. If it's something more serious, where you maybe have broken a bone, it's going to be longer for you to recover. It really just depends on the mechanism of injury and the severity," West said.

West said those most at risk are geriatric patients who may have more fragile bones or be on medication that causes more bleeding.

West's biggest piece of advice is to not underestimate the weather. Even if it's not snowing today, she said it's still not safe to go back to your normal routine.

"The biggest thing is to take your time," West said. "In your daily travels, but also in your usual activities. Don't underestimate the potential for black ice and hazards that are still out there currently."

Dr. West said if you have injured yourself, don't wait to be seen by a medical professional.