The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

November 21, 2008

Second snowstorm causes few problems

By Amelia A. Pridemore

The second snowstorm of the week slammed southern West Virginia Thursday night and Friday, but authorities said it was more like a Chihuahua’s bark than Tuesday’s pit bull bite.

“We’ve been busy, but this one wasn’t as bad (as Tuesday),” said Dale Hughart, Raleigh County supervisor for the state Division of Highways.

Snowfall was seemingly heavier with the storm that began Thursday night, and wind often blew snow back onto roadways, Hughart said. However, sunlight emerged earlier than expected around 10 a.m., which helped the snow melt sooner.

This time, less ice was on the roads, Hughart said. Materials DOH crews had on hand were able to work immediately, which was not the case Tuesday.

While all main roads were cleared by Friday afternoon, Hughart noted problems persisted in the hardest-hit Abraham and Pluto areas. There, large, open fields are elevated higher than some roadways, and high winds were causing 6-foot-high drifts. DOH crews would likely work in that area through the night, possibly through today.

“I’ve worked every day since last Sunday — about 12 hours a day,” he said. “It’s too early for this stuff. They’ve canceled two days of school already, and it’s not Thanksgiving yet.”

Beckley police handled one minor weather-related accident in which no one was injured, Chief Tim Deems said. Conversely, officers handled nine accidents between 7 a.m. and noon Tuesday — one involving a city truck that tumbled over an embankment and onto Rails-to-Trails, injuring a Board of Public Works employee.

Deems noted that with the first significant snowfall of the season drivers tend to not be adjusted to wintertime driving.

“Everything seemed to be going smoothly (Friday),” he said. “Drivers seemed to be driving slowly and cautiously.”

Beckley and Oak Hill both received three inches of snow in the latest storm, according to Nick Webb, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston. Four inches fell in Oceana and 5.2 fell in Richwood. Only one inch was reported in Pineville.

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va., reported two inches of snowfall in Renick Valley (Greenbrier County) and five inches at Flat Top.

According to Webb, more winter weather is on the way, but probably not until Tuesday.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com

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