Dec. 19, 2009
Winter Storm Disrupts Huntington Shopping, Entertainment
Turnpike Closes Near Beckley; Virginia Declares State of Emergency
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - A week from Santa’s annual slide down chimneys motorists up and down the East Coast prepare for a winter storm that has attracted more adjectives of hype than a new movie release.
Word of the Winter Storm Warning sent hundreds of Huntington residents not to downtown or the mall but to grocery stores. Predictions of a significant accumulation put essentials on everyone’s shopping list. In fact, a mini rush could be observed after the midnight hour as several shoppers grabbed one item --- toilet tissue.
While rain and flurries peppered the Tri-State with an omen of expected white stuff, the West Virginia Turnpike (I-64) near Beckley turned glaring Friday afternoon, Dec. 18, even as school buses sought to get students home before conditions worsened. One report in the Beckley Register-Herald stated that a 30 minute trip turned into a four hour marathon.
Four buses carrying Daniels Elementary students became stuck in the bottleneck of jackknifed tractor trailers and accidents. Three managed to get through; a fourth returned to the school necessitating that parents pick up students.
All roads in Greenbrier County have closed. Shelters have been opened for travels stranded, some due to running out of gasoline due to traffic snarls. Concord University canceled fall commencement ceremonies
Snowfall in Beckley may total 18 to 20 inches by Sunday, Dec. 20. Up to a foot had fallen at the Ghent Toll Plaza by late Friday. The Barrier C toll station as of late Friday will not allow traffic through in either direction.
Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency. Southwest Virginia forecasters predict 12 to 15 inches of snowfall and possible power outages.
Hard hit areas have reported that work crews have been sent out to clear roads, but the flakes have come down so fast that crews cannot keep up.
The Saturday morning, Dec. 19, forecast released at about midnight projected increased accumulations for Huntington. Three to seven inches may accumulate overnight and up to another three inches may fall on Saturday.
Temperatures during the period will remain within a few degrees of freezing.
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Winter Storm Disrupts Huntington Shopping, Entertainment
Turnpike Closes Near Beckley; Virginia Declares State of Emergency
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - A week from Santa’s annual slide down chimneys motorists up and down the East Coast prepare for a winter storm that has attracted more adjectives of hype than a new movie release.
Word of the Winter Storm Warning sent hundreds of Huntington residents not to downtown or the mall but to grocery stores. Predictions of a significant accumulation put essentials on everyone’s shopping list. In fact, a mini rush could be observed after the midnight hour as several shoppers grabbed one item --- toilet tissue.
While rain and flurries peppered the Tri-State with an omen of expected white stuff, the West Virginia Turnpike (I-64) near Beckley turned glaring Friday afternoon, Dec. 18, even as school buses sought to get students home before conditions worsened. One report in the Beckley Register-Herald stated that a 30 minute trip turned into a four hour marathon.
Four buses carrying Daniels Elementary students became stuck in the bottleneck of jackknifed tractor trailers and accidents. Three managed to get through; a fourth returned to the school necessitating that parents pick up students.
All roads in Greenbrier County have closed. Shelters have been opened for travels stranded, some due to running out of gasoline due to traffic snarls. Concord University canceled fall commencement ceremonies
Snowfall in Beckley may total 18 to 20 inches by Sunday, Dec. 20. Up to a foot had fallen at the Ghent Toll Plaza by late Friday. The Barrier C toll station as of late Friday will not allow traffic through in either direction.
Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency. Southwest Virginia forecasters predict 12 to 15 inches of snowfall and possible power outages.
Hard hit areas have reported that work crews have been sent out to clear roads, but the flakes have come down so fast that crews cannot keep up.
The Saturday morning, Dec. 19, forecast released at about midnight projected increased accumulations for Huntington. Three to seven inches may accumulate overnight and up to another three inches may fall on Saturday.
Temperatures during the period will remain within a few degrees of freezing.
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