(News update) County bracing for next snowstorm

Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010

Posted at 5:15 p.m. Thursday

Just like Black Friday, Charles County residents are out early and up late looking to snag coveted merchandise before the big day. Only this time, those "have to get" items are shovels, salt, milk and bread before this weekend's snowstorm.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect from Friday morning until Saturday evening that is predicting up to two feet of snow in some areas.

Activity was bustling at stores throughout the county Thursday as residents were heeding the warning of bad weather.

"It's like Christmas when everybody lines up to get the hot new doll but instead they're waiting for snow shovels," said Chris Peck, manager of American Hardware in Waldorf.

American Hardware of Waldorf was bombarded with customers in search of snow shovels and salt since the store opened at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, he said. "It's bananas. … Some people want to put down deposits on snow shovels, and rock salt has been flying out the door." A truck loaded with snow shovels was due to arrive at the store between noon and 4 p.m. and the line was already forming.

Julie Fort of Waldorf said she was hoping to get a shovel to add to the one she and her husband already have. Fort said she was determined to get a shovel Thursday otherwise "we'll have to shovel in shifts."

The National Weather Service Web site – www.weather.gov – predicted "storm total accumulations of 16 to 24 inches" at about 10 a.m. Thursday. "A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow ... sleet ... and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also possible. This will make travel very hazardous or nearly impossible Friday night," according to the site. The warning predicted winds gusting to 35 mph, with steady speeds of 15 to 25 mph.

Charles County Emergency Services Director Bill Stephens advised residents to stay home this weekend, not only for their own safety but because they most likely would not be able to get very far otherwise.

"If in fact the weather is as extreme as it's being forecasted, cars won't even be able to move," Stephens said.

The wet, heavy snow predicted for the area will most likely prove a challenge for any vehicle, though Stephens said the county has already mobilized its public facilities department and snow equipment for the impending blizzard.

Residents who do need to get somewhere should make sure their tanks are full and keep blankets and supplies in their cars in case of a breakdown because it will take some time for a rescue, Stephens warned.

Stephens said citizens can monitor the county's Web site – www.charlescounty.org -- and check cable Channel 95 for news, updates and cancellations and by registering for the free citizen notification system, residents can sign up for immediate updates from Stephens' department on weather forecasts and other emergency-related information.

Charles County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Diane Richardson said officers would make use of four-wheel drive vehicles pair two officers to each vehicle and place officers strategically around the county for better response time.

Richardson said plans are in place to provide officers and emergency workers a place to stay and meals should the need arise.

Thomas Dennison, spokesman for the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, said Thursday the utility is preparing for the storm.

"We have contractors who work on our system throughout the week – we're going to keep them on the system," he said. The fleet of trucks is getting serviced and will be ready to go to repair outages. Ice and high winds bring down trees onto power lines, knocking power out.

"Ice is always the X factor," he said. Forecasters predict mostly snow.

"We'll watch things like everyone else and react to the best of our ability," he said.

The impending storm put a bit of a damper on a wedding scheduled for Saturday.

Heather Lowman of Waldorf was preparing for a wedding with 130 guests but due to the predicted storm, Lowman, her fiancé Mark Zibar and family opted to postpone the big day until March.

Lowman's father Steve said the couple had a small ceremony to exchange vows Thursday at the Lowman home with out-of-town guests viewing online via Web cams.

Steve Lowman his daughter seemed frustrated with the whole situation until a final decision was made. He said then, it was as if a weight was lifted from her. Steve Lowman said come March, the family will be able to look back on this weekend and laugh. Since the official ceremony already took place, the bride and groom will be able to relax for the big ceremony next month and "have an absolute blast," he said.

The impending storm has fouled up Archbishop Neale School's Taste of Italy fundraiser set for Saturday evening. It was been rescheduled for March 20, said Judy Melvin, the school's development director.

"The whole week has been messed up because of school closings and delays," she said. "Something was planned for every day this week and everything has been messed up because of the weather."

Charles County's public schools were already scheduled to be closed today for students, but teachers were scheduled to have in-service activities.

Katie O'Malley-Simpson, schools spokeswoman, said Thursday that the in-service activities had been canceled but employees were to report to their schools Friday, though school officials were scheduled to meet Thursday night to determine plans for school events Friday and over the weekend. The decision was not made before press time Thursday afternoon.

Some local business will embrace the storm such as Pizza Hotline in Charlotte Hall and La Plata.

Co-owner Chris Heinze said his pizza shops would remain open but he would let delivery drivers decide whether or not to deliver in the storm.

"Usually it's pickup orders, and it's good because everyone is a little more patient," Heinze said from the La Plata store.

Leon Lamont, who owns WOW Café and Wingery in Waldorf with his wife, Allyson, said he usually sees a jump in business following a day of being cooped up inside by the weather.

With the "day after" being Super Bowl Sunday, Lamont expects residents will be "clamoring to get out," or at the very least stopping in to pick up their catered orders of wings for the game-day parties.

Important numbers

The Charles County government has a reference guide on the county's snow removal policy and other tips at www.charlescounty.org. During snowstorms residents can obtain information or report problems by calling 888-460-SNOW.

La Plata's snow removal policy is available at www.townoflaplata.org and clicking on the "announcements" link.

Indian Head residents can call the town hall at 301-743-5511 or the Charles County Sheriff's Office District 2 station at 301-743-2222 after hours.

To report power outages, call Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative's hot line at 877-747-6326. To report downed power lines, call 888-440-3311.

Area cancellations The Charles County Public Schools winter cheerleading competition has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at North Point High School. Make-up dates are 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 or 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12, both at North Point. The south regional competition has been rescheduled to 10 a.m. Feb. 13, at North Point. The north regional competition is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at North Point. The state competition is 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at North Point. The regional middle school Math Counts competition scheduled for 8 a.m. Feb. 6. at Theodore G. Davis Middle School has been rescheduled due to inclement weather forecasts. The event will take place 8 a.m. Feb. 13, at Davis. If inclement weather occurs that day, the event will be postponed to Feb. 20. Check the school system’s 24-hour information line, 301-934-7410 or 301-932-6656, for any other weather-related cancellations or schedule changes.