The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

Related Photos

  • Byran Hinkle cleans snow off all the vehicles on the Ramey Ford car lot on Eisenhower Drive in Beckley Wednesday afternoon. Rick Barbero/The Register-Herald

    Snow
March 7, 2013

Latest snow storm leaves region mostly unscathed

By Carra Higgins Register-Herald Reporter

While parts of West Virginia were hammered Wednesday by the latest winter storm, this region came off relatively unscathed.

While the National Weather Service said 17 to 24 inches of snow were dumped in some areas in the eastern region, the highest total reported in southern West Virginia was 6 inches in Ronceverte and Richwood.

Although the snow was heavy and wet, the region was spared widespread power outages, for the most part.

However, the NWS said a chance for a bit more snow is possible today.

Greenbrier County remained under a winter storm watch through 6 a.m. today. An additional 2 to 6 inches is predicted, as well as wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

In Lewisburg, snow depth was reported at 3.3 inches.

Summers County also could see an additional 2 to 5 inches of snow and winds as high as 50 miles per hour through early this morning.

The rest of the region — including Raleigh, Nicholas and Fayette counties —  could still receive some snow this morning; however, higher temperatures this afternoon will likely change the precipitation to rain.

Additional snow depth data from the NWS said Beckley received 1 inch; Flat Top, 5 inches; Hinton, 1.5 inches and Summersville, 1 inch.

Wednesday’s snowfall knocked out power to more than 2,000 customers in Greenbrier County, but by the afternoon Appalachian Power Co. reported all power restored, according to the company’s website.

Mon Power’s website noted as many as 500 customers were without electricity as of 6 p.m. in southern Greenbrier County. Further north, the number was greater.

Those in Greenbrier who are still without electricity or heat may go to a warming station at Rhema Christian Center, 3584 Davis Stuart Road, Lewisburg.

By Friday, residents should start seeing some sun as mild temperatures in the 50s move into the region for the weekend.

The Pendleton County community of Franklin received 24 inches of snow. Other snowfall totals in eastern parts of the state included 17 inches in Romney, 14 inches in Circleville and Slanesville, and 11 inches in Berkeley Springs.

In the eastern part of the state, the storm forced courts in Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton counties to close, while Shepherd University canceled classes. The Jefferson County sheriff’s department asked motorists to stay off snow-clogged roads.

In the state’s central mountains, Shelly Groves has seen a constant coat of white on the ground ever since Superstorm Sandy dumped more than 2 feet in late October in the Nicholas County community of Craigsville.

“Nothing but snow,” Groves said Wednesday.

The Hardware: That’s Us store where she’s a cashier sold out of 384 bags of salt Wednesday and had steady sales of gas cans and propane. Although Craigsville was spared the full brunt of the storm, 6 inches still fell by midday — and everyone around is tired of it.

She may have to wait a bit longer. Old Man Winter has been known to hang around a lot longer than the traditional start of spring in these parts. In fact, Snowshoe Mountain resort, 77 miles to the east, announced Tuesday it was keeping its ski slopes open through March 31.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Text Only
Local News
  • Truckers getting showers back at Beckley travel plaza

    After a long haul along the West Virginia Turnpike, truck drivers can get a refreshing shower at the Beckley travel plaza, starting May 31, after a two-year hiatus.

    May 24, 2013

  • Jay wants young footballers protected

    Friday nights under the lights are no less popular in West Virginia than in Texas, and Sen. Jay Rockefeller says the time has come to strengthen the safety standards required of helmet makers for youthful footballers.

    May 24, 2013

  • Primary seatbelt bill signed into law

    Motorists who have grown careless about buckling up with a seatbelt had best get used to the idea of using one in a few weeks, or face the prospect of a $25 fine.

    May 24, 2013

  • Former child care worker guilty of sexual abuse

    A Greenbrier County jury convicted John Thomas Campbell, 28, a former employee at the Davis-Stuart school, of sexually abusing a teenage girl who was a student there.

    May 24, 2013

  • Escaped inmate captured, faces new felony charge

    An inmate who escaped from Beckley Correctional facility Monday night was captured by authorities Wednesday evening, according to the West Virginia Division of Corrections.

    May 24, 2013

  • Hinton pill dealer pleads guilty in court

    Hinton resident Michael Harshaw Jr., 36, pleaded guilty to distribution of oxycodone Thursday in U.S. District Court in Beckley, U.S. District Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.

    May 24, 2013

  • Shady Spring man arrested for threats

    Boone County sheriff’s deputies arrested a Shady Spring man Wednesday on charges of threats of a terrorist act.

    May 24, 2013

  • Woman struck, killed by train has been identified

    A woman struck and killed by a CSX freight train Monday in the New River Gorge National River has been identified as Chandra Turner, 49, from Louisville, Ky.

    May 24, 2013

  • Raleigh judge hands down three sentences

    Three individuals were sentenced by Raleigh County Circuit Court Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick Thursday.
    James Edward Cook, 33, of Arnett, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and leaving the scene of an accident with death.

    May 24, 2013

  • History bowl champs History Bowl winners recognized

    Tuesday was a morning of music, applause and awards at Shady Spring Middle School, as West Virginia first lady Joanne Tomblin and other state and national dignitaries honored the faculty and students for winning the West Virginia History Bowl this year.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo