Powerful winds cause leaning of Potomac Mills sign

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - All southbound lanes on Interstate 95 have been shut down after high winds caused the large Potomac Mills sign in Prince William County to lean, officials said.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said the highway lanes will be closed at Prince William Parkway and drivers will be diverted into the Express Lanes. Tolls will be suspended into Saturday, VDOT officials said.

Telegraph Road is also closed between Prince William Parkway and Opitz Boulevard due to the damaged sign.

After inspection of the 140-foot sign, VDOT said Potomac Mills mall has arranged a crane to come and take the leaning sign down.

However, for safety reasons, crews will not begin work to take down the sign until the winds die down.

The southbound lanes on I-95 will remain closed until the sign is taken down.

Powerful winds have been impacting the D.C. region as a High Wind Warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday. Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency in Virginia in response to the severe weather conditions.