Snowstorm rips through West Virginia, 8 other states

 

MHS grad Beatrice Henderson's
car buried under snow in Carolina

Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia have all declared states of emergency due to the winter storm blowing through the East. Washington, D.C., has declared a "snow emergency."

Airlines canceled more than 6,000 flights.

My sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, who lives in an area of Rivesville where there are only 3 homes and a curve that wreaks havoc with her mailbox when the road is snowy or icy, had an experience that’s typical of others in Marion County:

“John,

We got 24 inches of snow and I’ve been trying to shovel it by hand.  There is way too much and getting heavier because the temp is warmer today. 

“I go out twice a day to shovel but there isn't any way I can clear that much snow.  I can't find anyone to use a snowplow on this driveway which is 125 feet to the top of drive and a flat spot by my garage that parks 8 cars without blocking anyone. 

“I resigned myself to the fact I will be stuck for a week!  The main roads are wet but cleared so I could get out there. 

“I have plenty of food, meds and water so I shouldn't complain. 

“Enjoy sunny Florida. 

“Love, Jackie”

I am, Jackie. It’s 55 degrees in The Villages, which the permanent residents think is cold. It’s a heat wave to me.

I play golf when only 4 people are on the course. Such wimps!

 

Barbara Jean Morris, who lives in Monongah with husband Carl Morris, wrote:

“This morning my husband left very early to get to work. He usually leaves about 4:40. We got up at 3:30 and he left at 3:45. Never made it past Mike's and Irene's. (That would be cousin Irene Fazio Preolitti and husband Mike Preolitti) It took him an hour and a half to get out of their yard. This is only the 2nd time in 43 plus years that he didn't make it to work because of snow. Historic for us. Measures 18 inches in our front yard. Needless to say...Carl is not very happy!”

Barbara is a Fairmont State marketing grad from Shinnston.

Steve Mikulski, who lives in Germantown, Maryland, reported:

“Holly and I spent 24 hours shoveling this morning and I really appreciate her help. The temperature here is 25 but the sun is out and it actually feels good outside. Moving snow from one place to another keeps you warm.

“The county has not plowed our street. When they do they always plow in all the driveways so why bother clearing the snow any further since we just have to shovel it again?”

  

  



Frankie Vandetta's son
half-buried in snow

 Sandy Collins, who lives in Worthington, wrote:
             
       "I could barely get out the door because of the snow."
              
   Monongah High grad Cheryl Riley, who lives in Enterprise, wrote that her snow is one foot deep and rising.
    
Monongah High grad Linda Nobel-Carr, who lives in Morgantown, doubled that amount with her measurement.
           
Patty DeMary Evans, who lives in Fairmont, has a healthy attitude about the snowfall:
            
"No shoveling for us. We're retired and don't have to go out if we don't want to."

Spruce Knob got 40 inches of snow, the penalty for being the highest elevation in West Virginia at 4,863 feet.
          
Truckers in the Charleston area are staying overnight rather than risk traveling on.
  

Steve Mikulski's view in
Germantown, Maryland

    
Little Sandy's Truck Stop at Bruceton Mills already sold out of milk once Friday and got an emergency delivery. A fresh assortment of bread also came in Friday.
  

Carolyn Mikulski cleared path
to get out of her Monongah home

 
The West Virginia University basketball team flew to Saturday's Texas Tech game early before the snowstorm hit. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. on ESPN News channel.
       
Appalachian Power says gusty winds that are forecast for the winter storm could cause problems on power lines in its service area this weekend. The utility says significant outages are possible in portions of the company's service area in West Virginia, southwest Virginia and Tennessee on Friday night and Saturday.
         


Kitty Morrison's
Monongah view

State officials opened more than a dozen warming stations and shelters in Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, McDowell, Nicholas, Putnam and Wood counties.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter at the Jefferson County High School gymnasium in Shenandoah Junction.
              


Linda Lopez Gandy's
driveway under THAT

Both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature met and quickly adjourned.

The West Virginia National Guard, Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety and the Department of Transportation were activated to help.
        
Public schools are closed in 51 of the state's 55 counties.         

Marshall University and West Virginia University canceled classes on Friday.