Road Conditions West Virginia

Snow plow crews went to work and households prepared themselves Friday and as a major snowstorm blanketed the two Virginias.

All of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia were under a winter storm warning declared by the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va. Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia declared a state of emergency.

Even more snow was forecasted for Friday night, with accumulations between six to 15 inches possible. Another three to five inches are possible today.

The winter storm warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday.

Highway departments in both Virginias were monitoring the weather while crews stayed alert. Driving conditions on both Interstate 77 and U.S. Route 460 were treacherous Friday evening.

“DOH crews are ready and prepared to handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way,” said Steve Cole, deputy state highway engineer in charge of operations. “We have been preparing since before October by making dry runs to ensure our equipment is operational and our drivers are familiar with their prioritized routes.”

Local crews had made their preparations. In Mercer County, the DOH had 9,000 tons of abrasives (cinders and stone) and 17,000 tons of salt ready, said Tommy Camden, acting district manager of the DOH district office in Gardner.

“We will initially focus on the interstates and the primary roads at this moment,” Camden said. “We do ask people to be patient. There are limited resources in terms of vehicles and equipment; at the same time, we are also using employees from other highways organizations to help us. We will be out tonight.”

The same preparations were also underway in Virginia. Motorists were advised to check road conditions before leaving home by calling 511 or logging in at 511Virginia.org. Drivers were advised to slow down and allow extra time to reach their destinations, to beware of icy spots in areas such as shade or bridges and to keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles. Motorists were advised not to pass a snowplow or spreader unless absolutely necessary.

Treacherous road conditions and motor vehicle accidents were already being reported as of 2:30 p.m.

“People keep spinning out. The phone won’t stop ringing,” said a dispatcher at Mercer County 911.

In McDowell County, the county 911 center had a report of a school bus going into a ditch at Mount View Road near Mount View High School, but no injuries were reported, according to a dispatcher.

Local shelters were prepared for people who lost their electricity.

Last week the Bluefield Union Mission provided 27 people with shelter after a wind storm interrupted electrical power to more than 9,000 area residents.

“Today, the mission stands ready to provide a warm place to stay should the snow storm bring about a need for shelter,” said Craig Hammond of the Bluefield Union Mission.

Area institutions modified or canceled activities in light of the forecasted storm. At Concord University in Athens, fall commencement activities scheduled for today were canceled at both the Athens and Beckley campuses. All other weekend events were canceled, and employees were dismissed early. Exams scheduled for 2 p.m. were canceled as well.

Meanwhile, shoppers headed for grocery stores and stocked up on essential goods, and on things to do if they became snowbound.

“It’s a little buzzing out there,” said Manager Kevin Bowling of Grant’s Supermarket in Green Valley. The squeak of shopping buggy wheels and the electronic beep of cash registers could be heard in the background. “They’re coming in and it’s been pretty busy.”

Shoppers were seeking the usual staples such as bread, milk and soft drinks, but they were also buying items that would keep them occupied if snow keeps them at home; especially if they have Christmas cookies to bake.

“There’s really been an influx of baking goods,” Bowling remarked. “They’re feeling if they’re going to be stuck, they’re going to get something accomplished. Three people today asked for paraffin wax. That’s used for candy, but only three people have asked for it all year.”

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Road Conditions West Virginia

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