Blasted by one big daddy of a blizzard
Randolph OEM declares emergencySTAFF REPORT
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Another winter wallop shut down the region Friday, even halting U.S. Postal Service delivery and government work in some counties. Randolph County Office of Emergency Management declared a local state of emergency Friday at 12:30 p.m. after some county roads had been closed because of poor conditions. Local OEM officials and law enforcement are urging residents to stay off the roads and travel only in the event of an emergency.
The road conditions over the Allegheny Mountains along the northeastern portion of Randolph County and south-east Tucker County caused travel to be near impossible Friday.
Motorists traveling Route 32 between Harman and Davis may have been stopped and sent to shelters in either of the towns to wait while West Virginia Division of Highways cleared drifting snow from the road. U.S. Route 33 between Elkins and the Randolph-Pendleton County line was shut down entirely Friday to everyone except local traffic.
At noon Friday, the U.S. Post Office in Elkins closed its doors and mail delivery in Randolph Tucker, Upshur, Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Webster counties was suspended.
A winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday. According to the NWS, snow showers will be moderate to heavy with accumulations of an additional 8 to 16 inches by Sunday morning.
Upshur County Office of Emergency Management Director James Farry explained most roads were snow covered with ice and snow drifts; however, no roads in the county had been closed. Low lying areas of Upshur County could receive 9 to 12 inches of snow, while higher elevations are expected to get up to 2 feet.
In Lewis County, the Sheriff's Department said they responded to a few minor accidents, which occurred on snowy, slick roads Friday.
Anyone who must travel should advise others of travel plans and consider taking emergency supplies, which should include a blanket, water, a non-perishable snack, shovel and cell phone.
For information about road closures, call 1-800-WVA-Road or visit www.transportation.wv.gov.
Local law enforcement in Upshur County reported several minor traffic accidents caused by the icy roads Friday morning.
Most of those accidents involved vehicles sliding off the road, according to a spokesperson with the Upshur County Sheriff's Department.
The Elkins detachment of the West Virginia State Police advises motorists to use caution while driving: keep a safe distance from other vehicles and drive slowly.
Colleges and universities rarely cancel class. But on Friday, Davis & Elkins College closed its halls of learning and encouraged students to embrace the snow by offering students a chance to participate in "Winter Olympic" games on "the hill."
Teams participated in Build Your Own Sled Races, Snow Sculpture Competition, Ski Throw, Snowman/Snowwoman Contests, Human Dog Sled Races, Snow Bowl and Giant Snowball Roll.
Several D&E students played football in the deep snow and others took advantage of the steep hill in front of the amphitheater.
Jimtown resident Cathy McMenamy lived in Alaska for more than 20 years before retiring to West Virginia and says the snow the area has seen is similar to that of the 49th state.
"It's like I went to sleep in West Virginia and woke up in Alaska," McMenamy said.
She remembered being able to venture out more during the Alaskan winters - mostly because she was prepared for snow with studded tires and snowblowers. But all the snow blanketing her rarely plowed road at Jimtown has caused a mild case of cabin fever, which she didn't really experience in Alaska.
McMenamy explained she's been staying busy with hobbies and chatting on the telephone with friends. And on the sunny days when the snow has melted, McMenamy makes the most of the situation by getting out of the house and into town.
Although it's difficult for McMenamy to get out of her own driveway, she says local plowing crews and merchants have done a "fabulous" job keeping up with the snow on the roads and sidewalks -one difference between here and Alaska.
High winds at Snowshoe Mountain resort caused all lifts but two to be closed Friday because of safety issues. But all lifts in the Silver Creek area were able to operate, said Laura Parquette, communications director.
The ski crowds were expected to roll into the resort Friday night, just in time for winds to subside and give skiers a chance to make tracks in today's fresh snow.
Parquette says plowing crews at Snowshoe are used to snowfall and are doing a "great job" keeping roads on the mountain in good condition.
Some events that had been slated for today have been canceled or postponed include the annual ArtsBank Auction, which has been rescheduled for March 27; Longaberger Basket Bingo at Jennings Randolph Elementary has been canceled; and Tygart Valley Little League Draft at Homestead Elementary School, but a new date has not been set.
