PRINCETON — States of emergency declared by the governors in both Virginias stayed in effect Tuesday while residents kept seeking those essential coping tools for winter weather — snow shovels and salt.
The National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va., issued winter storm warnings slated to stay in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday. In West Virginia, Mercer and Monroe counties were under the winter storm warning while McDowell County had a winter weather advisory. Across the state line in Virginia, Tazewell, Bland and Giles counties had a winter storm warning, and Buchanan County was under a winter weather advisory.
Counties in Southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia were also under a high wind warning; these included Mercer, Monroe, Tazewell, Bland, Giles and Wythe counties. The high wind warning was to remain in effect until 5 a.m. Thursday. Winds between 20 to 35 mph with gusts between 55 to 65 mph were possible as an Arctic storm front crossed the region. Winds of this strength can knock down trees, power lines and week structures, forecasters said. Snow and ice accumulating on trees and power lines could make such incidents more likely.
With blankets of heavy snow and sleet covering roads, driveways and sidewalks alike, residents were looking for snow shovels and salt. Demand for both items has been high across the eastern United States.
Charlie Hurst, owner of Hardware Charlie’s in Bluewell, laughed when asked if he’s had a lot of requests for snow shovels.
“It’s been incredible,” he said. “Salt, snow shovels, kerosene heaters. It’s been hard to get stuff in. There’s been such a demand on the whole East Coast that supplies have been short.”
Hurst said he had seen a similar demand years ago when the region was blanketed in another deep snow.
“Probably 10 years ago when the big ice was here, when power was out and snow was 30 inches deep,” he said.
At Virginia Hardware Company in Princeton, snow shovels were also the most coveted items.
“There’s been a lot of people coming in, mostly for snow shovels,” employee Steven Burchette said Tuesday. “I think we’re about the only people who have any left, really.”
Salt and shakers for applying it have been in demand, too, he added.
At Lowe’s in Princeton, the store had been seeing “very heavy demand” for both snow shovels and salt, said Manager Kevin Raymer.
“They’re pretty equal. We pretty much sell through them as fast as we can get them,” he said. “Supplies have been pretty good.”
Some residents are ready to use alternative tools. At Citizens Hardware Supply and Home Center in Bluefield, almost half the regular shovels had been sold, said salesman Chuck Greer.
“We’ve got a great demand for snow shovels and Ice Melt,” he said. “Snow shovels and Ice Melt. That’s the ongoing question, if you’ve got it.”
A new shipment of snow shovels and Ice Melt was expected Thursday, Greer said. However, there were still supplies of regular shovels. In some cases, shovels such as coal shovels worked better then regular snow shovels on frozen ice and snow.
A state of emergency declared by West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin remained in effect Tuesday, said spokesman Matt Turner in Charleston. Such declarations usually last 30 days or until the governor rescinds them.
Turner said that he had received calls from people who thought a declaration of emergency closed state roadways, but this is not the case. Roads and highways remain open.
The state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management had received three reports Tuesday of deaths linked to carbon monoxide poisoning, Turner said. He did not know where these instances had occurred, but said that running generators indoors was a possible cause.
Officials with the W.Va. State Fire Marshal’s Office issued warnings about the causes and symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Appliances that burn natural gas, liquefied petroleum (LP gas), oil, kerosene, coal or wood may produce CO. Cars left running in garages also produce CO.
The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu, but without the fever, Fire Marshal officials said. They include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. People who think they may have CO poisoning should get to fresh air immediately; open doors and windows for ventilation, shut off any combustion appliances, and leave the house. Call 911 and report your symptoms. Prompt medical attention is important.
In Virginia, a state of emergency declared by Gov. Bob McDonnell also remained in effect. The Virginia State Police warned motorists to beware of ice patches on Interstate 77 in Wythe and Bland counties. Motorists in both Virginias should beware of potentially icy areas at spots such as bridges and shady areas. Keeping a safe distance of at least 5 seconds behind other vehicles and trucks was also recommended.
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