Tag: Winter Weather

The Latest on Winter Storm Jonas: Weather Advisories for W.Va. Expire

A foot or more of snow has fallen across parts of West Virginia, but winter weather advisories issued by the National Weather Service have all expired as a large winter storm moves out of the state. 

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency Friday as a result of winter weather which was still in effect Sunday.

Many parts of the state experienced high levels of snowfall. Glengary, West Virginia, in the Eastern Panhandle is reporting the highest total at around 40 inches while most of West Virginia received 8-24 inches.

You can follow along with the latest updates on road conditions and other aspects of the state’s response to the storm through this Facebook Page.

Road Conditions

As of Sunday morning, no accidents were being reported on the state’s highway system, but state transportation officials are still asking drivers to take caution as road crews work to catch up with the storm.

Department of Transportation spokesman Brent Walker said motorists are urged to avoid travel if at all possible. For the latest on road conditions, be sure to check wv511.org.

Government / University / Office Closings

  • West Virginia University- will reopen 6 a.m. Monday
  • West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
  • Marshall University (includes South Charleston campus)
  • West Virginia State University
  • Shepherd University
  • WVU Tech
  • Bridgevalley CTC
  • Mountwest CTC
  • West Virginia Junior College
  • Huntington Mall
  • Kanawha Valley Regional Transport (will not run Saturday) 
  • Crossroads Mall, Beckley
  • Tamarack

For county school closings, please visit the West Virginia Department of Education’s website.

Credit Jesse Wright / West Virginia Public Broadcasting
/
West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Power Outage Reports

Neither American Electric Power nor FirstEnergy were reporting any major power outages as of Sunday morning. 

Department of Homeland Security director Jimmy Gianato said Friday extra crews from both companies were moved into the area to prepare for outages and make necessary repairs.

Shelters & Warming Stations

In various parts of the state, shelters and warming stations are being established for those not able to make it inside and for those who lose power. Keep visiting this link for a downloadable spreadsheet with the latest information related to your county, city or town. 

For additional information on shelters and warming stations visit wv211.org.

Water Main Breaks

West Virginia American Water is reporting some water main breaks in Kanawha County.

Areas in Charleston are experiencing some issues. Due to heavy snowfall and difficulty traveling, some breaks are still being investigated. West Virginia American Water anticipates those water main breaks will be restored by late Saturday afternoon.

Watching the snow fall in West Virginia? Tweet us your photos and videos of winter weather and related conditions @wvpublic or @wvpublicnews! Be sure to include a time and location and we may use it online.

Flood Conditions Improve in Southern W.Va., Now What?

Flood waters that left residents stranded in their homes have receded in most places, according to emergency services in some southern West Virginia Counties. The flood warning issued by the National Weather Service  remains in effect until 6:45 p.m. Thursday for parts of West Virginia.

 

Emergency Services throughout the region say flooding or high water levels have improved, although the region is bracing for bitter cold temps.

In Fayette County dispatchers say at one time high waters stranded folks living in about 400 homes in Pax, Weirwood, and Horse Creek.  They say, for the most part roads, are opening back up.

Dispatchers in Raleigh County say residents in about 10 homes remain displaced from their homes in Violet Lane in Beaver after being evacuated Wednesday.

Dean Meadows, Director of Wyoming County, Emergency Services says folks in about 100 homes at Coon Branch are accessible with a four-wheel drive. Meadows says the water has receded but there is still a pile of mud and snow on the road.

Meadows says  emergency officials used a boat to rescue a pregnant woman in labor from that area on Wednesday.

Dispatchers throughout the region are now prepping for colder temps which could create even more challenges for the region.

The National Guard is assisting with monitoring the region. Meadows says the state of emergency declaration by the governor has reduced the possibility of major issues in the area.

On top of the flooding, several West Virginia Counties are under winter storm warnings until 7:00 p.m. tonight. Ice and snow has created dangerous driving conditions. Temperatures are expected to dip overnight putting emergency officials poised to open shelters for the thousands without power in West Virginia.

According to Appalachian Power’s website, 34, 957 AEP customers were without power as of 4:50 p.m. Thursday. There are almost 10, 000 customers in Cabell County without power.

State Officials Urge West Virginians to Stay Out of the Cold

State officials are urging West Virginians to take precautions against bitter cold weather.

Temperatures fell to record levels on Thursday morning in Bluefield and Lewisburg.

The National Weather Service says the low temperature in Bluefield was 4 degrees below zero. The previous record for Feb. 19 was 3 degrees in 1993.

The low temperature in Lewisburg was zero. The previous record was 3 degrees in 2006.

Wind chill warnings and advisories are in effect across the state through Friday morning.

The West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety says residents should stay indoors and have an emergency kit in case of a power outage. Residents who venture outside are advised to dress in layers and limit skin exposure to the cold.

Snowy Thanksgiving Travel Predicted

The National Weather Service says parts of West Virginia could get up to 7 inches of snow for the start of the busy Thanksgiving travel period.

The weather service has issued a storm warning effective Wednesday in Greenbrier County. A storm watch is in place for 11 other counties, mostly in the northeastern part of the state.  The counties in the watch area are Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties.

 
 Forecasters say a nor’easter is expected to develop along the East Coast. Travel could become hazardous Wednesday on portions of Interstates 68, 64 and 81.
 
The storm comes on the heels of high winds that knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses Monday. About 4,800 customers of American Electric Power and First Energy remain without power Tuesday, including more than 1,000 each in Monongalia and Upshur counties.

West Virginia Spent Extra $13.5 Million De-Icing Roads

West Virginia’s top transportation official says the state spent $13.5 million more than it expected to clear snowy, icy roads this winter.

But Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox says extra revenue from motorist taxes more than covered the pressing winter road needs.

Through April, state fuel and vehicle privilege taxes came in a combined $28.7 million higher than what the state projected. Registrations brought in an extra $2.6 million.

Mattox calls it a positive economic sign that people are out driving, buying gasoline and purchasing more cars.

Mattox said Monday that West Virginia spent $68.5 million total to remove snow and ice from roads this year. He says the spending helps control costs to fill potholes resulting from a particularly cold, snowy winter.

Storm Breaks Cold Records in Several W.Va. Cities

The winter of 2014 continues to break records in West Virginia.The National Weather Service says a blast of arctic air on Tuesday broke low temperature…

The winter of 2014 continues to break records in West Virginia.

The National Weather Service says a blast of arctic air on Tuesday broke low temperature records for March 4 in Wheeling, Morgantown, Elkins and Lewisburg.
 
In Elkins, the temperature dropped to minus-10 degrees. The previous record was minus-7 degrees in 1996.
 
Lewisburg recorded minus-2 degrees, breaking the previous record of 5 degrees in 1996.
 
The temperature in Morgantown fell to 1 degree, breaking a record that had stood since 1972. The previous record was 4 degrees.
 
Wheeling recorded 2 degrees on Tuesday. The previous record was 10 degrees in 2002.
 
     On Wednesday, Wheeling tied its record for March 5 with a low temperature of 14 degrees.
 
     An arctic blast in January also broke cold temperature records across the state.
 
 

Exit mobile version