AN EPIC STORM: Life in Valley drags to halt

More than a foot of snow blanketed the central Shenandoah Valley on Saturday as area utilities battled scattered power outages, police statewide responded to thousands of crashes and traffic – and life – in the Valley staggered to a standstill.

Rail traffic and postal deliveries were suspended, plows churned through thick snow and interstates 64 and 81 turned treacherous, evidenced by a tractor-trailer left resting on its side after the driver failed to navigate the slick highway.

It was the second nor’easter to hit snow-battered Valley in just seven weeks, with temperatures expected to plunge overnight and more snow looming Tuesday.

Two people were killed in one of more than 3,100 crashes statewide since Friday, state police said. But few drivers ventured onto local streets, officials said.

“We’ve had no major public safety issues, it has been relatively quiet,” said Gary Critzer, Waynesboro’s director of emergency management.

He said the city emergency shelter at Kate Collins Middle School was on standby.Critzer said city officials were concerned about power outages overnight Saturday because temperatures were to dip into the single digits.

“Hopefully, we will not have power problems,” Critzer said.

Six people stayed Friday night at an emergency shelter at Riverheads High School in Augusta County, and the shelter was to remain open until this morning, said Donna Good, Augusta County’s emergency coordinator.

Digging out

Waynesboro public works crews continued working 12-hour shifts clearing main and primary roads while the snow fell during the day Saturday.

The Virginia Department of Transportation advised drivers to stay off interstate, primary and secondary roads, describing the conditions as “extremely dangerous.”

The National Weather Service said the snow would taper off Saturday night. The weather service said almost 14 inches had fallen in Fishersville by early Saturday, and 2 to 4 inches more were expected by the end of the day.

Though few people dared test the roads, several took to their sidewalks and driveways to shovel away the wet, heavy snow.

Whitney King, of Waynesboro, said she “was exhausted” by the season’s latest blast as she shoveled her mother’s sidewalk on King Avenue.

“I will soak up the hot weather and I won’t complain,” said King, expressing the sentiment of many who want this dreary winter to end.

Major travel in the region was on hold Saturday. And that meant some area hotels and motels enjoyed an unexpected winter boost.

Amtrak reported that because of downed trees and power lines several train trips had been canceled in Virginia, the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic region. All flights at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in Weyers Cave were canceled Saturday.

Hotels chip in

Hotel owner Perry Fridley said about 28 people stuck between destinations had checked into the Best Western and 46 had taken cover at The Days Inn in Waynesboro as of noon.

“We’ve changed from business mode to more of a humanitarian effort,” Fridley said. “We have to get people to safety and make sure there’s enough food for everyone.”

The hotels are helping guests by serving extra meals, driving people to area restaurants and digging cars out of the snow.

“It’s just the right thing to do,” Perry said.

More than 60 city, food service and retail workers also were staying at hotels so they could make it to and from work. Kroger, Wal-Mart and Martin’s were open but seeing very few customers Saturday morning.

“We’ve had eight people come in since we opened at 6 a.m.,” said Dana Kirby, front-end supervisor for Kroger on Lew Dewitt Boulevard.

Quiet in ER, streets

The scene was similarly quiet at Augusta Health in Fishersville.

“We’ve really had nothing,” said Brett Shrader, the administrator on duty. “Our emergency department is less busy than normal … We have contracted help and volunteers staying over the weekend, plenty of food and we’re keeping the parking lot and sidewalks clear.”

Clif Shifflet, a driver with R & M, said he saw very few vehicles on the road and had not received any calls for towing in Waynesboro as of noon.

“I’ve got a wrecker inside the shop with chains on the tires, ready to go, but I’d be just as happy if it stayed there,” he said.

Waynesboro authorities said the afternoon was relatively quiet.

“We’re trying to actually avoid driving as much as we can,” said Sgt. Robert Luzader.Staunton police said they responded to about five stranded vehicles.

Augusta County fire Chief Carson Holloway said a National Guard Humvee was deployed to Interstate 81 Saturday morning with medics on board to assist stranded motorists.

Holloway said crews transported motorists to the Riverheads High School shelter.Another National Guard Humvee, stationed at the Waynesboro Fire Department, transported “critical employees” from their homes to the nursing facilities where they worked, authorities said.

Snow and ice covered interstates in Augusta County, with one back-up reported on I-81 in the northern part of the county, said VDOT spokeswoman Sandy Myers. The Pilot Truckstop in Greenville remained full, and truckers were discouraged from exiting there, Myers said.

Barry Kaulfers, a trucker from Salt Lake City, Utah, headed to Philadelphia, said he had never seen a storm like this one in his 30 years on the road.“I cannot drive in it,” said Kaulfers, who arrived Friday night at Pilot.

Marcez Riley, a Memphis, Tenn.-based driver for the US Postal Service, said he got stuck at Pilot trying to refuel.

Winter-weary

Many people found trudging through the snow the best – and only – way to get around.

Vashia Jones, of Waynesboro, said she walked to Kroger on Wayne Avenue to restock on some essential supplies.

“We just moved here, actually,” Jones said. “We were supposed to move this weekend, but when we found out about the snow we moved on Thursday.”

Across the street, Sam McVey and his grandson, Clinton West, opened Second Time Around for regular business hours.

McVey said he sold $500 in bedroom furniture before noon.

“There’s always someone comin’ down here,” McVey said. “I guess I’m one of the old school guys — if I put a sign on the door that says I’m open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., then that’s what I do.”

Freelance photographer Sandra Berry contributed to this report.