Road Crews, Schools, Residents Preparing For Winter Storm
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Roads were dry, traffic was flowing and there was even a bit of sun on Thursday, but everyone knows that something is coming our way.
So, road crews spent the day inspecting, preparing and double checking ahead of the snow.
"We're preparing for the worst, hoping for the least," said Pittsburgh Public Works Director Mike Gable.
City salt domes have seen little action this winter, so they are chocked full, and the same can be said for PennDOT's supply. But this storm is bringing variables the experts can't control.
"It's hard because it could be 18 inches, it could be zero," said Allegheny County PennDOT Manager Angelo Pampena.
"We're going to keep our fingers crossed and hope it's a low number," added Gable.
That said, there is nothing about luck in the planning. Crews are going on extended shifts; trucks will be loaded and ready with everyone hoping the Friday afternoon rush hour will be spared.
"If it comes at rush hour, I would suggest that people give consideration to maybe going home a little early. They have done that in the past," Gable said.
Most municipalities have plenty of supplies, too.
"We're getting ready to chain up our vehicles. We're moving some equipment around to the smaller, four-wheel drive vehicles, so we're able to still respond in the event that we do get a mass snow," said Jefferson Hills Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Andrew Tomer.
"Obviously, we'll be working hand-in-hand with our department of public works, trying to get the roads plowed as quickly as possible, but if residents don't need to go anywhere, we suggest that they stay home during a snow event like this," Tomer added.
But should Mother Nature spare us this wrath, it doesn't mean local PennDOT crews won't be busy.
"If we get nothing and Washington County gets pounded, we're going to move our resources," said Pampena. "Shifting resources is part of our plan and communicating throughout the event is the critical pieces."
Click these links to track the progress of PennDOT's snow plows and the City of Pittsburgh's snow plows.
Also on Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency, which allows the state to cut red tape in deploying resources and hiring contractors.
"We are urging Pennsylvanians to stay calm, but be prepared," Gov. Wolf said. "State agencies are preparing for the worst, tracking conditions in real-time and collaborating on our response. Residents should prioritize their safety and heed all warnings from law enforcement and emergency officials."
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If you're traveling via Amtrak this weekend, they are encouraging passengers to keep a close eye on conditions and keep an eye on the status of their trains. They say they will be modifying their schedules along the East Coast.
Meanwhile, over in Fayette County, so far it's been a lovely winter, but that's all about to change.
George Kisisko, of Connellsville Public Works, is the man whose job it is to keep the roads clear from the impending storm. They're as ready as they're going to be.
"We got five of our big trucks ready," he said. "Five plows, a plow on every vehicle we have, over 150 tons of salt, probably 200 anti-skid on back up, everything is checked out, ready to go, just waiting for the snow."
Pat Halfhill runs the South Side Grocer in Fayette County. He's stocked up and ready if they get socked.
"When it gets bad enough that they have to walk, we'll be here," said Halfhill.
Concern regarding the storms potential has also prompted schools district in the area to already schedule early dismissals for Friday. Erring on the side of caution, Connellsville Area is one of them.
It comes down to logistics.
"We have over 200 square miles in our school district and we have 11 buildings. From any point in time, it can take you an hour to get from one end of the district to the other," said Connellsville Area School District Superintendent Phil Martell. So, we have to best prepare as we can."
PennDOT district 11 Executive Dan Cessna tells the "KDKA Morning News" his crews are ready for the storm.
"We have plenty of salt," says Cessna. "We have everybody ready to go this weekend and this is going to be one of the first [snow] events we've had this year."
Cessna says he doesn't know if they will pre-treat the roads today.
"We'll evaluate the temperatures today, it's very cold so it's very difficult to spray, basically salt water on to the roads," Cessna says.
