ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, January 10, 1996            TAG: 9601100050
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press 


SNOW STOPS, BUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT NOW?

As the snow stopped falling Monday, Virginians were left to deal with snow accumulation that was measured in many places in feet.

Snow Saturday, Sunday and Monday was spread across the state. As much as 47 inches fell in the Shenandoah National Park. Snow reached 3 feet in the Shenandoah Valley, and ran to 2 feet and more in the mountains and Piedmont of Virginia.

A statewide state of emergency remained in effect. As of Monday night, emergencies had also been declared in at least 26 localities, enabling Virginia National Guard members to rescue people and assist state and local police.

The Virginia Department of Transportation was operating 3,800 snowplows around the clock to clear snow-covered roads, Highway Help Line supervisor Tammy Thomas said Monday night.

Most interstates and primary roads were cleared to bare pavement by Monday night. But overnight low temperatures resulted Tuesday morning in icy secondary roads, and minor delays on interstates, department officials said.

``The real fun is just beginning,'' said John Shifflett, maintenance manager for the Transportation Department in Charlottesville.

``It's very difficult to plow this snow. In 6 or 8 or 10 inches, our equipment does pretty well. But when we get this kind of depth, we just don't have the equipment,'' Shifflett said. Charlottesville received 17.5 inches of snow.

In some areas, plows began clearing neighborhood roads. As they navigated side streets, they threw a 4-inch wall of snow across freshly shoveled driveways.

``I don't know whether I'm glad to see those guys or not,'' said Carrie Williamson of Fairfax.

Utilities said that about 5,300 homes were without power Tuesday morning, principally in the Northern Neck, the Middle Peninsula and the southwestern part of the state.

The state government was closed for a second day, as were many schools, local governments, courts and businesses.

Two more people were reported dead Monday in weather-related accidents, bringing the state's total to seven storm fatalities.

Josephine Johanson, 73, of Powhatan County, died Sunday after collapsing into the snow from an apparent heart attack, said sheriff's Deputy Scott Lane. Lane said she had probably gone outside to check her home's heating system.

A 67-year-old Powhatan County man suffered a heart attack Monday while shoveling snow from the roof of his carport. He died at Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond.

Washington National and Washington Dulles International airports in Northern Virginia remained closed throughout the day, as did Richmond International Airport. With nearby hotels booked, some passengers spent a second full day camped out at Dulles.

``These armrests really should fold down, so people can get some sleep,'' griped Preston Crawford, who sat with his luggage piled around him.

One traveler was forced to take refuge late Sunday in a closed Chevron station in Augusta County. Sheriff's Deputy John Wieger said the pickup truck of John Burcham, 76, of Arkansas got stuck in the snow at an exit off Interstate 64.

Burcham walked to the gas station, broke a glass window on the door to the station and then called 911 to report his break-in. Wieger said Burcham continued his trip Monday to Washington, D.C. He left officials his home address so the Chevron could bill him for the damage.


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