By Steve Keenan
Life for some was slowly reverting to a semblance of normalcy earlier this week in the area, after a vicious pre-winter storm created havoc over the weekend in many pockets of the state and beyond.
One of the primary concerns, of course, was getting power restored to as many people as possible as the days progressed following heavy snowfalls of 10 inches and higher. As of Tuesday morning, Appalachian Power reported 6,000 customers without power in Fayette County and 13,000 in Kanawha County. The Fayette number had risen from the previous day’s 3,897 as some new outages were incurred, while the Kanawha total had declined.
On its Web site, Appalachian said that over 800 contract workers from across the Mid-Atlantic, Central and Southern regions were working to restore power to customers. It was estimated that some could still be without power until midnight Friday.
Those still having problems can call the company’s West Virginia service number at 800-982-4237.
Among the Kanawha County shelters was one set up by the Pratt Volunteer Fire Department in Pratt, according to reports in the Charleston media. If shelter is still needed in Kanawha County, call the emergency operations center at 304-746-8828. In Fayette County, reports said that shelters were erected in numerous places in Oak Hill, including the Lewis Community Foundation Christian Community Center and Oak Hill High School. Shelter space was also available in municipalities such as Smithers, according to Mayor Tom Skaggs, who was unsure Tuesday of how many people actually availed themselves of the shelter in his town.
Skaggs said Smithers experienced power outages primarily on Smithers Hill and up Cannelton Hollow, as well as Valley high and elementary schools. He also said downed trees on Rte. 60 caused traffic to be re-routed for a time Saturday, and another tree fell on Michigan Avenue.
On Tuesday, Skaggs said town crews — with the aid of some residents with the necessary equipment — were working to remove more snow, and businesses were springing back to life. He said there was an electrical problem at a sewer lift station, which caused officials to convert to generator power, but “it doesn’t create any problems.”
Schools were closed in Fayette County Monday and Tuesday, and extracurricular activities were postponed. Kanawha County schools were in session Tuesday.
In Fayette, Tuesday marked the last day of classes for students for 2009. Superintendent Chris Perkins said staff members were to participate in an ISE day Wednesday, but their attendance would depend mostly on how much progress has been made in clearing side streets, driveways and parking lots so they can get to their respective buildings.
Perkins said central office personnel such as Dale Watkins (maintenance) and Gary Hough (transportation) have been working with employees and administrators to check on the school buildings, and the superintendent said he has driven some of the roads to survey the situation.
No extracurricular activities were to be played Tuesday, but Perkins said any teams scheduled for holiday tournaments could take part as long as the weather permits.
Students are to resume classes on Jan. 4, 2010.
In most local towns where power is back on for the most part, the focus has turned to continuing snow removal efforts. Pam Boles, a Gauley Bridge town employee, said that some of the residents in Scrabble Creek were still without power as of Tuesday, but most others had it restored early Monday evening. She said the town street crew was lending its assistance to local business owners, residents and churches in clearing streets, parking lots, etc.
Montgomery Mayor Jim Higgins says his city was relatively unscathed.
“We were very fortunate,” Higgins said. “We had power the whole time, and the crews got on the roads immediately (to keep them passable).”
No trees were down in the city, but some did fall on Rte. 61 and in other nearby areas.
Some outlying areas such as Powellton and Kimberly were without power over the weekend.
A boil water advisory issued Sunday by West Virginia American Water for Montgomery Heights customers was lifted Monday. A boil water advisory was issued for Page-Kincaid PSD customers in Wriston, Beards Fork, Johnson Branch and Mulberry, due to loss of system pressure.
— E-mail:
skeenan@register-herald.com
