CLARKSBURG — Bone-chilling temperatures Thursday night were the third round in Winter Storm Thor’s attack on North Central West Virginia, leaving more than 40,000 state residents without electricity overnight.
“There’s definitely going to be some re-freezing of all that slush,” said Mike Charnick, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
Eight area counties called off school today: Harrison, Taylor, Doddridge, Upshur, Lewis, Barbour, Randolph and Marion.
The storm dumped more than 8 inches of snow Thursday after drenching the area with nearly 2 inches of rain Wednesday.
“Flooding is still an issue,” said James Farrell, public information officer for Upshur County’s Office of Emergency Management. “The river has gone down a little, but it is still above flood stage.”
Farrell said high water left over 20 roads closed in Upshur County Thursday night.
Chapel Hill United Methodist Church was open as a warming shelter for Upshur County Thursday night.
Flooding wasn’t as big of an issue in other counties, but fallen trees were.
“I think we’ve had 25 different assignments on trees obstructing roadways,” said Pat Heaster, Doddridge County Emergency Services director. “Snow and lack of electricity is our biggest problem.”
Three fire departments were open as warming shelters Thursday night in Doddridge: West Union, McClellan and Smithburg.
“We’re going to keep those open as long as we have activity,” Heaster said.
The Harrison County Bureau of Emergency Services also received calls about fallen trees and power outages, Bureau Chief Paul Bump said.
“We’re watching (the storm) close because tonight’s going to be bitter,” Bump said Thursday.
The Spelter Fire Department and the Shinnston First United Methodist Church were open as warming shelters for Harrison County Thursday night.
Two other area counties had warming shelters available for residents Thursday night. The Midway and Pricetown volunteer fire departments were open to Lewis County residents. Marion County residents could go to the Baxter Volunteer Fire Department, the American Red Cross building or the Mannington Moose Lodge.
“Some areas will be around zero or below zero Thursday night,” Charnick said.
The frigid temperatures hit North Central West Virginia after the area was pummeled with snow and after torrential rains flooded roads and rivers.
The storm and Gov. Tomblin’s declaration of a state of emergency in West Virginia left many usually busy roadways with only a trickle of traffic on Thursday.
And the declaration shut down plenty of activities — from schools and universities throughout the region to Bridgeport City Hall and Meadowbrook Mall.
But Meadowbrook Mall Property Manager Marcello Lalama said the storm won’t keep businesses closed for long.
“We will for sure open tomorrow,” Lalama said Thursday. “Our lot’s in pretty good shape, but getting here is the problem.”
Lalama said Target, Sears, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Planet Fitness were open Thursday despite the mall being closed. Outback Steakhouse opened from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m
At one point, over 43,000 West Virginians had no electricity Thursday.
“This will be a multi-day restoration,” said Todd Meyers, a spokesman for FirstEnergy. “I expect the outage count to climb into the early afternoon.”
Meyers said line crews will first ensure that public safety institutions, such as hospitals and police stations, have electricity. Then crews will focus on the more populated areas.
“We’ve restored power to about 17,000 or 18,000 (customers) already, but the increased outages are continuing to eclipse those numbers,” Meyers said.
Meyers said FirstEnergy service areas in North Central West Virginia had seen an average of 10 inches of snow.
“Major roadways are hard to travel, and some of the secondary roadways have been impassable,” Meyers said.
Extra line crews are arriving from Ohio and Pennsylvania to help restore power.
“It is very important for (individuals) to keep their eyes open for downed lines,” Meyers said. “Those will be energized, and it is very important for them to stay away and to keep pets away.”
Downed lines and outages should be reported to 888-LIGHTSS.
Residents battling the winter storm can take heart that their struggles should soon be over, according to the weather service.
“I would imagine road conditions will improve dramatically this weekend because of the temperatures and the sun angle,” Charnick said.
He explained the sun’s position in the sky now is comparable to its position in late September, meaning roadways will thaw even if the temperature is below freezing.
“After this gets out of here, we are going to see some warmer temperatures,” Charnick said.
Saturday and Sunday will be both see highs in the 40s, according to the weather service.
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