The Winter Storm Warning in effect for parts of southeastern West Virginia has been extended until 7 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19.
According to the warning, “Heavy mixed precipitation, additional snow accumulations of one to three inches and ice accumulations of up to two-tenths of an inch” are possible.
On Thursday, poor road conditions caused by the severe weather forced a transition to remote learning for most county school systems, including Greenbrier, Pocahontas and Monroe Counties. Many area businesses and government buildings chose to close for the day, as well. And in White Sulphur Springs, the library board meeting originally scheduled for Thursday evening was postponed until 6 p.m. on Feb. 26.
In a social media message posted just after noon on Thursday an official from the city of Ronceverte said, “It’s been reported that the power is off on Teaberry Road. I am told other parts of the county are out.”
Mon Power reported that approximately 600 residents in Greenbrier, Pocahontas and Monroe Counties — including those in the Ronceverte area — were without power on Thursday.
A recorded message from Mon Power stated, “rest assured, we are working diligently to respond to any and all power outages as they occur.”
In a message from Wednesday, Feb.17, Alderson town officials said, “Aldersonians, please remember with significant snowfall predictions the snow routes are: Maple Avenue, Monroe Street North and South, Railroad Avenue and Virginia Street. Crews may ticket/tow vehicles impeding snow removal in these areas.”
“Please everyone check on your neighbors during these winter storm events for heating, food, medication needs and water necessities,” said Jay Morris of the Greenbrier County Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Management. “Tomorrow night it will be brutally cold, so prepare now for yourselves, your family, your neighbors and your pets!!!”
One day removed from a two-hour delay due to inclement weather, students in Raleigh County were treated to a full “snow day” free from school on Thursday. However, the storm has left more than 400 residents without power, with the Beckley area being the most impacted.
After an initial report of the Summers County Courthouse operating with a delayed-opening on Thursday, Feb. 18, Summers County Commissioner Mike Gore announced that they made the decision to fully close for the day.
Both Summers County and Fayette County Schools closed on Thursday, Feb. 18. Students were not required to participate in remote learning. However, Mercer County schools did transition to remote learning on Thursday, Feb. 18. Although, due to a power outage at the Athens School, all scheduled TEAMS meetings were canceled.
According to a message posted to the city of Hinton Government’s official Facebook page, the city is offering a warming station at the Memorial Building in Hinton. Anyone in need of assistance is encouraged to call the county’s non-emergency 911 center number 304-466-3333.
The Mercer County Health Department took to social media to announce that their phones were not working on Thursday, Feb. 18 and asked that the community be patient as they work to resolve the problem.
The Fayette County Health Department announced via social media that the COVID-19 vaccine clinic scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18 has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25. According to the announcement, anyone with an appointment should receive a call regarding the change.
The Fayette County Office of Emergency Management released a statement on their official Facebook page that if the area experiences “large power outages” they will activate warming shelters and housing shelters. They will notify citizens via social media as well as the mass notification alert system and reverse 911, if needed.
The West Virginia Daily News will provide additional updates regarding the impact of winter weather on southeastern West Virginia as additional details become available.
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