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Sudden Morning Freeze Causes Chaos On Roads Around Woodbury

HARRIMAN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Wind and rain pummeled New York Tuesday as a nor'easter swept through the Tri-State area.

Just north of New York City, some drivers found themselves struggling and scores of cars were left stranded when roads turned into ice rinks.

As CBS2's Lou Young reported, the bent, bashed and battered victims of Tuesday morning's ice are on display at a car repair shop after rain met plummeting temperatures before dawn in Woodbury.

One moment motorists had traction, and the next it was gone.

"Thankfully there was no one in my way. (You were slidin'?) Yea, sure was," said Dave Stewart.

Other drivers, however, weren't so lucky.

The Woodbury Police Department said in a matter of moments, officers had more work than they could handle.

"They were going from call to call," said Woodbury Police Chief Richard Vasquez. "They were actually prioritizing and trying to determine who really needed them the most, and then they were actually forced to tell some people 'I'll be right back to help you out.'"

Police said there were no serious injuries -- a blessing considering the mayhem on Route 6 near the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, where ice still coats the mountain rock and tree branches glisten ice-white, Young reported.

"It was a half a mile stretch of just cars to the left, to the right," said Craig Baker, with Exclusive Auto Body. "They were all up against the guard rails, around backwards, facing the wrong direction; they were all over the place."

The sudden freeze appeared to be localized and ended as quickly as it began. Throughout the day motorists drove gingerly, anticipating a possible reprise after sunset, Young reported.

"Stay home! (Really?) It's not good," driver Boris Maminsky said.

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