Dale Hughart, Raleigh County supervisor for the state Division of Highways, told Governor Joe Manchin Wednesday that all of the county�s roads should be driveable by today.

Manchin stopped at the Beckley DOH to discuss the conditions of local roads following the weekend storm that dumped up to 30 inches of snow in some parts of the county.

Although he called the first 24 hours of the storm, which hit Friday, �a disaster,� Jack Bowden, director of the Raleigh County 911 Center, said things were back to normal Wednesday.

Bowden said all of the county�s main roads were clear, but added that many of the secondary roads remain slick.

Hughart said crews concentrated Wednesday on the Richmond district in the Shady Spring area, as well as the Odd and Coal City areas, all of which he said received about 30 inches of snow.

Manchin praised the work of local crews, emergency responders and the National Guard, and pledged any assistance needed as the county continues to dig out of the snow which closed roads and cut off power to thousands throughout the area.

In fact, the governor said the state-wide state of emergency issued during the height of the storm had been lifted for all but 29 counties, enabling assets to be shifted to the hardest hit areas.

�Every available asset has been moved,� he said. �We�re committed to get the job done.�

Also, Manchin said crews are preparing for a second dose of winter weather this weekend as freezing rain is predicted.

�We�re watching and monitoring that,� he said, adding that despite the forecast, officials believe �we can get through this Christmas to New Year time frame and have everything in good shape.�

Manchin asked that those still affected by poor road conditions, as well as power outages, to stay patient.

He said the goal is to have power restored to all customers by Christmas, although he said that probably would not be possible in the most rural areas.

�With the holidays coming up, it�s a very special time of the year and it�s very difficult when families are inconvenienced and can�t get together,� he said.

Although Manchin said some customers are likely to be without power, he urged that those people remain patient and not try to take the situation into their own hands.

�Don�t try to do anything yourself,� he said, adding one untrained person suffered severe injuries when trying to repair a powerline. �The average citizen should not be getting close to those lines.

�AEP is working,� he continued, adding 1,900 workers are on the job. �They are starting with the major arteries and fanning out.�

Both Manchin and Congressman Nick Rahall praised the state�s road crews for their hard work.

�We want people to know they should be proud of the work that�s been done,� Manchin said.

� E-mail: mjames@register-herald.com