Tag: Winter Weather

Red Cross Prepared for Next Storm

Through the storm today, there have been no requests for emergency shelters, but the Red Cross was ready to provide them in any case. Red Cross Regional…

Through the storm today, there have been no requests for emergency shelters, but the Red Cross was ready to provide them in any case. 

Red Cross Regional CEO Erica Mani says volunteers began preparing vehicles and supplies Friday afternoon in anticipation of the storm, but they weren’t needed after all.

“We are right now seeing that the storm wasn’t as severe as anticipated. Right now we are manning the state’s emergency operation center and we have assets placed throughout the region in 22 different counties so that we could respond to needs such as shelter for anyone who had power outages, etc.,” said Mani.

“Since those needs did not arise in the storm, it was a good exercise for the Red Cross to be able to go out and make sure that we could prepare and respond to any needs that arose.”

On its website, Appalachian Power said the storm brought less ice accumulation than anticipated, and is producing snowfall that is not accumulating heavily on trees. As a result, damage and outages associated with the storm are minimal.  But Mani says the Red Cross will be ready for the next storm.

Harsh Winter Reduces W.Va. DOT's Salt Supplies

A harsh winter has reduced the state’s supplies of salt used to treat snow and ice-covered roads.
 
Department of Transportation spokeswoman Carrie Bly says the state is getting to the bottom of its salt supplies.

For the last month, the DOT has been moving stockpiles from areas that haven’t received as much snow to areas that have seen greater impact.
 
Bly says the DOT also is conserving salt by reducing the amount used to treat roads and using other abrasives, such as sand and small limestone rock.
 
She says the threat of ice kept many people home on Monday morning. She says that helps the DOT clear the roads.
 
 

'Titan' Storm Closes Schools, Causes Delays in W.Va.

Public schools across West Virginia are closed and some government offices are closing or delaying openings because of a winter storm.The storm began…

Public schools across West Virginia are closed and some government offices are closing or delaying openings because of a winter storm.

The storm began Sunday as rain and changed overnight to sleet and then snow. Winter storm warnings remain in effect through Monday evening for most of the state.
 
Fifty-three of West Virginia’s 55 county school systems are reporting closings, according to the state Department of Education’s website.

About a dozen flights at airports in Charleston and Beckley have been canceled.

The National Weather Service says up to a foot of snow is possible in parts of Nicholas, Webster, Pocahontas and Randolph counties. Other areas could see up to 8 inches.

The state Department of Transportation is warning residents to take caution while traveling if it’s necessary. Check road conditions in your area on the WV 511 website.

For information on power outages, check Appalachian Power’s and Mon Power’s websites for more.

State Government Closings & Delays:

State employees providing direct support relating to the current weather event should report at their regularly scheduled time.

Secretary of State’s Office Closed (Online services available)

Local Government Office Closings:

Braxton Co. Courthouse (2-hour delay)

Cabell County Courthouse

Jefferson County Government Offices

Fayette Co. Courthouse (Closing at noon)

Gilmer Co. Courthouse

Kanawha Co. Courthouse

Kanawha Co. Board of Education (Only essential personnel to report)

Kanawha Co. Public Libraries

Monongalia Co. Courthouse

Mason Co. Courthouse

New River Gorge Park Visitors Center

Putman Co. Courthouse

Wyoming County Courthouse

Wyoming County Circuit Court and Magistrate Court

University Closings:

West Virginia University (Classes, normal operations to resume Tuesday)

Marshall University

West Virginia State University

Shepherd University

University of Charleston

Davis & Elkins College

Concord University (Athens & Beckley campuses)

Southern WV Community and Technical College

Mountwest Community and Technical College

Other Closings:

Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg

Morgan County Recycling Center

Concord University Child Development Center

Huntington Mall

Rock Creek Park Foundation Open House – NPS (canceled)

Listen: A West Virginia Superintendent Sings to Announce Closings, Delays

Winter weather has shut down government offices, shopping malls and, of course, public schools. School was in session for President’s Day in some schools…

Winter weather has shut down government offices, shopping malls and, of course, public schools. School was in session for President’s Day in some schools systems in order to make up for snow days.

There’s no doubt that children look forward to the automated calls from school administrators canceling or delaying school days. But some working parents dread those calls since another snow day means another day to find child care or even miss work.

Fayette County Superintendent Keith Butcher is hoping to ease the tension by adding a melody to the message.

"This is the phone call kids love to hear, So gather around let me be clear. Ice and snow has come our way, And so I announce this two-hour delay. Please don't cry and please don't complain, You'll get a chance to wake up your brain. Two more hours of sleep and then it's back to the school again."

On Friday of last week, Butcher announced schools in Fayette County would be closed. Central office staff didn’t have to report to work but, custodians, maintenance, and transportation staff were called into work. At least he broke the news to everyone with an adaptation of “Let It Snow.”

0214FayetteCoClosing.mp3
Fayette County Superintendent of Schools Keith Butcher announces a Code B Closing on Friday, February 14 through an automated voice message.

"Oh, the snow outside is still falling. That's the reason that I'm calling. Since traveling is not cool, There's no school, there's no school, there's no school."

W.Va. Shovels Out of Snowstorm

Some parts of West Virginia are buried by more than a foot of snow as a winter storm barrels across the state. The National Weather Service (NWS) is…

Some parts of West Virginia are buried by more than a foot of snow as a winter storm barrels across the state. The National Weather Service (NWS) is calling for an additional  accumulation of two to four inches throughout the day in several counties in the southern part of the state.

Preliminary snowfall totals from the (NWS) include 18 inches in Mount Storm, 15 inches in Jefferson County, more than 14 inches in Ronceverte,  and 16 inches in Athens.

Residents across the state are shoveling out from the winter storm although snowfall is expected through the day.

Winter storm warnings remain in effect across the state through Thursday afternoon.

The continued snowfall is creating challenges for road crews to keep up with clearing just main roads. As mentioned in the following tweet, the WVDOT is bringing out large equipment for snow removal in some parts of the state.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation’s website shows conditions on interstates and other major highways are fair to hazardous with concerns of blowing and drifting snow.

Governor Tomblin is urging residents to stay home unless absolutely necessary.

Public school systems in 50 of the state’s 55 counties are closed Thursday, along with several public and private colleges and universities.

Some counties have already closed for Friday.

Power Crews Ready for Winter Storm

Power crews are moving into the region along with the latest winter storm.In a release, Appalachian Power said nearly 100 contractors and employees moved…

Power crews are moving into the region along with the latest winter storm.

In a release, Appalachian Power said nearly 100 contractors and employees moved into areas expected to experience the most severe effects of the storm.

Phil Wright, Appalachian Power’s vice president of distribution operations said in the release that colder temperatures and a lack of wind are expected to work in the power company’s favor to limit wide-spread outages.

Wright said about 32 contractors will be staged in Princeton, strategically located to respond where needed on Thursday. Sixty line mechanics are in the Roanoke area, where some of the heaviest snow is predicted.

If the additional help is not needed once the storm passes,extra crews will remain on standby to assist other utilities.

Preparing for an outage

AEP says customers should charge cell phones and have a mobile charger for their automobiles.

Customers can prepare for outages by assembling an emergency kit to include:

  • flashlights
  • fresh batteries
  • battery-powered radios or televisions
  • candles, matches, or lighters
  • water for drinking and cooking
  • portable heater (oil or gas)
  • camping equipment (sleeping bags, camp stoves, lanterns)
  • canned goods and a manual can opener
  • manufacturers’ instructions for power-operated equipment such as the garage door
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