Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
BOMBOGENESIS: BRUTAL 1-2 PUNCH
Several inches of snow creates havoc on roads; record cold follows
Bombogenesis came. Bombogenesis saw. Bombogenesis conquered. And it’s only going to get worse.
After a massive Nor’easter dumped several inches of snow across the county, wreaking havoc on county roads just in time for the morning rushhour, the county braced for the second half of the storm, brutal winds and record wind chills that will struggle to get out of single digits.
Schools across the county decided to shut down in the wake of the storm, which first pounded the South before moving up the coast. The worst of the storm will be reserved for New England. That did not make getting around any easier here in Chester County.
Several school districts made the decision Thursday afternoon to close Friday, among them Avon Grove, Oxford, Octorara, Coatesville, Tredyffrin/Easttown and West Chester Area school districts. Downingtown and Great Valley opted for a two-hour delay. Kennett Consolidated has not yet decided.
Bishop Shanahan High School also will be closed.
Major arteries such as Routes 202, 1 and 322 were an adventure for the morning commute. Fender-benders were the order of the day. Twenty-minute commutes turned into white-knuckle ordeals.
The snow actually arrived a little later than expected, but still managed to snarl the morning rush.
Chester County government officials decided to close the Justice Center and all other county offices at 7:45 a.m., after conditions across the region became more blizzardlike, said county Department of Emergency Services Director Bobby Kagel Thursday morning.
“At first, the decision was made at 5:30 a.m., after we didn’t get the snow that was expected overnight, to operate on a two-hour delay and then evaluate the conditions as they developed,” he explained. “Then around 6:30 a.m. the snow started to really come down.
“Roads that had been just wet before became snow-covered, both the main roads and the back roads,” Kagel said, pointing to worsening conditions. “Add to that the blowing and drifting snow that was expected through the day and we decided to close the offices. We want to keep all of our employees safe.”
In West Chester, officials this
year are serious about making sure residents shovel their sidewalks 24 hours after a snowstorm ends. Ed Lotkowski, who lives at 214 W. Bernard Street, said he got a $25 citation for not shoveling snow off his sidewalk on Dec. 11, one day after the snow ended. After court costs were tacked on, Lotkowski ended up paying a $125 fine.
“I just can’t understand why they can’t put the $25 fine in mailboxes,” Lotowski said.
The contrast in snow accumulation among different areas of Chester County was striking.
One municipality that appeared to avoid the fury of Thursday’s storm was Oxford.
By mid-morning there was still hardly any accumulation in the borough, although the wind was indeed blowing.
“We’re doing fine. We have maybe a half inch, but there’s still not enough to plow,” Borough Manager Brian Hoover said. Still, all of the southern Chester County schools were closed including Oxford, Octorara, Kennett, Unionville, Avon Grove and Avon Grove Charter.
A little to the east in Penn Township, administrative assistant Brittnee Cole said of the plowing, “Our guys are trying to keep it under control.”
They were working on the back roads in this township that is host to state routes 796, 896 and 1. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has responsibility those roads, and their plows were working to clear the roads.
In rural Franklin, the snow was not deep midmorning — maybe 2 to 3 inches, but there were areas of consternation, especially with drifting caused by the wind.
Township Supervisors Chairman John Auerbach said the intersection of Route 896 and Appleton Road traditionally gets the brunt of drifting, while Assistant Township Manager Jeff Eastburn said areas of open fields are victims — places like Appleton and Strickersville roads.
Auerbach added that the township plows are out, but warned that as the temperature stays below 17 degrees Fahrenheit, spreading salt does not become effective in melting ice.
In West Grove, the plowing crews were called out at 4 p.m. and did their first round in the borough. By 10 a.m. they were ready for the second trip.
Administrative Assistant Trisha Conway said traffic was a little slow and light, but was not having substantial problems. It helps to cut down traffic, she said, that the library and schools are closed. She said the heavy wind is probably the source of the most intense problems as snow swirls off roofs and lands on streets below.
The storm interrupted business in the county seat.
Business at Penn’s Table in West Chester was “off and on,” according to Chris Lucas, general manager.
All employees showed for work and the Gay Street eatery opened on time at 7 a.m.
Lucas said the business benefited since other restaurants were closed due to the snow.
Brandywine Ace Hardware Pet and Farm was bracing for a rush when it stopped snowing.
Ten employees, or about 75 percent of the staff, showed for work during the storm. Some were told to stay home until roads cleared.
Alex Pyle, hardware manager, expected a big rush on a variety of salt products, boots, fire wood and snow shovels. With a big hill nearby, Pyle expected to sell several sleds.
Pyle also said that farmers would be visiting as the weather improved to purchase feed.
In Kennett Square, plows were out shortly after daybreak. By midday traffic was moving cautiously on the main thoroughfares, but the snow was building up on the back streets, making traffic especially treacherous.
Downingtown schools Superintendent Emilie Lonardi encouraged students to read and to bundle up if they go outside, but urged them to not stay outside too long.
“There’s nothing better than the warmth of a good book on a snowy day,” Lonardi said. “Catch up on your school work, enjoy your family and get a good night sleep tonight.”
Patricia McGlone, spokeswoman for Downingtown Area School District, agreed that reading would be an ideal activity on the snowy day and that her day off included reading a good book. Downingtown students are able to read books online using their school district login.
“Students, stay warm today and find a good book,” Coatesville Superintendent Cathy Taschner said. “We look forward to seeing you (on Friday). For parents and administrators and all who are traveling to work, please be safe.”
Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6, of West Goshen, cancelled his town hall meeting in Downingtown on Thursday due to the inclement weather and invited those with tickets to attend his townhall meeting on Saturday in Berks County. It will be held at the Wyomissing Junior/Senior High School at 630 Evans Avenue in Wyomissing, Pa. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the town hall starts at 1:30 p.m.