TIME TO DIG OUT

Storm brings crashes, calls for service across Montco

NORRISTOWN » A midweek winter storm brought snowy conditions Wednesday into Thursday that resulted in more than a thousand 911 calls, hundreds of traffic-related incidents and dozens were left without power across Montgomery County.

There were 273 vehicle crashes reported since noon Wednesday, 202 disabled vehicles and less than 80 customers who lost power across the area’s three service providers, according to the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety.

However, there were “no significant road closures” reported, according to a Thursday 9 a.m. update

posted to the agency’s Twitter page.

“Now that the snow has stopped falling in Montgomery County, we urge our residents to use caution when venturing out on the roads, as many are still slick and snow-covered,” said Todd Stieritz, public affairs coordinator for the county’s public safety department. “If you have a fire hydrant on your street, please make sure it is cleared of any snow or ice so that our emergency responders can quickly locate it in the event of a fire.”

During Thursday morning’s Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting, Chairwoman Val Arkoosh added that there were 1,109 calls for service to the county’s emergency com

munications center from 2-6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Snowfall accumulation varied across Montgomery County, with Norristown seeing 8.5 inches of snow, while Ambler, Lansdale and North Wales boroughs recorded 4 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, N.J.

Other snowfall totals included 6.2 inches of snow in Skippack, 5.5 inches in Pottstown, 5.2 inches in King of Prussia, and 5.3 inches in Upper Dublin Township, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavier snow amounts were reported in parts of Berks and Chester counties.

As she was shoveling Thursday morning, Lansdale resident Kellé McClain said she was “surprised” by the somewhat limited volume of snow.

“It wasn’t traumatic. Not compared to some years, and it’s a lot less than I thought it would be,” McClain said.

However, she noted the mixed perspiration made it a little more difficult to get off her car that was parked outside her apartment building.

“It was very heavy, and I think it was because we got sleet and rain,” she said.

Back in Norristown, Arkoosh praised the response efforts of those working during and in the hours following the storm during the virtual meeting.

“We want to thank all of our public safety officials

“Now that the snow has stopped falling in Montgomery County, we urge our residents to use caution when venturing out on the roads, as many are still slick and snow-covered. If you have a fire hydrant on your street, please make sure it is cleared of any snow or ice so that our emergency responders can quickly locate it in the event of a fire.”

— Montgomery County Department of Public Safety Public Affairs Coordinator Todd Stieritz

and first responders for their work overnight as well as all the municipal workers that were out plowing the roads,” Arkoosh said. “Residents should still continue to stay home as we continue our road cleaning operations.” Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. agreed.

“I do want to shout out our roads and bridges crews who have been out since yesterday, and all night keeping our roads clear, our bridges clear, and also all the municipal workers who’ve been out in this storm,” he said. “They don’t have the option to stay home so we thank them for clearing the roads.”

RACHEL RAVINA - MEDIANEWS GROUP Lansdale resident Kellé McClain shovels snow on the sidewalk by her car Thursday morning following a snow storm that impacted much of Montgomery County.

RACHEL RAVINA - MEDIANEWS GROUP A truck plows snow inside a residential apartment complex in Lansdale Thursday morning following a winter storm that hit Montgomery County.

BILL RETTEW PHOTO - MEDIANEWS GROUP Right: Two-year-old Axel joyfully experiences snow for the first time in West Chester Wednesday.

PETE BANNAN PHOTO- MEDIANEWS GROUP Left: A snow plow clears sidewalks in front of the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall at West Chester University as the first major snow storm in two years hit Chester County Wednesday afternoon.

PETE BANNAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP West Chester University professor Ben Kuebrich gives his son Cheo, 4, a push on his sled as they enjoy the first major snowstorm in two years to hit Chester County Wednesday afternoon.

PETE BANNAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP A snow covered wreath in front of the Chester County Court complex as the first major snow storm in two years hit Chester County Wednesday.

RACHEL RAVINA - MEDIANEWS GROUP Snow covers the grass, tree limbs and sidewalk of a residential condominium complex in Lansdale in the hours following a winter storm.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Residents on Dartmouth Drive in Norristown clear their cars Thursday morning.

SUBMITTED PHOTO A West Norriton resident clears her car after the storm Thursday morning.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Bright skies lit the seen on Beech Street in Norristown Thursday morning.