STORM MENACES EASTERN U. S.
Washington likely to face worst of blizzard
WASHINGTON • A gnarly blizzard will blanket much of the eastern United States this weekend.
It’s highly probable that the worst of it — brutally high winds, dangerous inland flooding, whiteout conditions and even the possibility of thunder snow — will be focused on Washington. The National Weather Service said Friday that this could be one of the top three storms in the capital’s history.
Snowfall as heavy as eight centimetres an hour could last for 24 hours or more in some areas, said meteorologist Paul Kocin with the National Weather Service.
It could easily cause more than US$ 1 billion in damage, weather service director Louis Uccellini said. At least 50 million people are in the storm’s path.
Here’s how the storm is already impacting the region:
RETAIL SALES
In the mountains of Craigsville, W. Va., people bought the usual kerosene heaters, propane tanks and gas cans, but also a special item: a rake that helps homeowners get snow off their roofs.
“It’s going to be bad, probably,” said Missy Keaton, cashier and office secretary at the town’s hardware store. But she said many people are prepared after snow from Superstorm Sandy caused numerous roof collapses in nearby Summersville in 2012.
At a supermarket in Baltimore, Sharon Brewington stocked her cart with readyto- eat snacks, bread, milk and cold cuts. In 2010, she and her daughter were stuck at home with nothing but noodles and water.
TRAVEL TROUBLE
New York City is urging people to avoid travelling Saturday and Sunday. In Washington, federal offices closed at noon. Public schools closed and Washington Metro will halt city buses at 5 p.m. and rail travel at 11 p.m. Both bus and subway services will remain shut through Sunday.
Almost 5,550 flights around the U.S. were grounded for Friday and Saturday, according to Houstonbased Flight-Aware, an airline tracking service.
EXCUSED FROM MASS
Due to the weather, bishops are excusing Catholics from church services. In Washington, Baltimore, and Delaware, archdioceses reminded people that dangerous travel conditions are a legitimate excuse to avoid showing up for Sunday mass.
WINTER SPORTS
On the upside, sledding on Capitol Hill will be welcome for the first time in decades, as long as conditions are safe.