Officials, crews dealing with weather’s aftermath

Road and power crews and emergency officials and departments continue to face the aftermath of Thursday's storm.

The mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain wrought much havoc for road crews and emergency departments from Thursday night into Friday morning.

In Steubenville alone, there were reports of fallen trees and power lines on Hollywood Boulevard, Lake Erie Street and other roadways as well as a tree that fell onto a parked vehicle on Wellesley Extension.

Many firefighters from both sides of the Ohio River were dispatched to assist in removing large tree limbs from roadways, while several Brooke County volunteer fire departments responded to structure fires on Deerhaven Road and Bradys Ridge.

Franklin Community Fire Chief Gerald McClain said the cause of a fire that destroyed a trailer on Bradys Ridge was electrical in nature, but it's not clear if it was weather-related.

He said a man living there was able to evacuate unharmed and was staying with family members.

Local emergency management directors said they weren't aware of any serious injuries caused by the weather and noted roadways were largely vacant after many received advance notice of the storm.

On Friday, John Parker, director of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, said the number of homes and businesses without power had declined greatly, from about 8,500 early in the day to about 3,618 in the late afternoon.

Parker said power had been restored for many in Wintersville, one of the hardest hit communities on Thursday night, but crews with American Electric Power were still working near Airport Road and other areas.

He said Steubenville, with about 1,700 outages, and Dillonvale, with 667, were among communities still without power Friday evening.

Jeremy Ober, Hancock County emergency management director, said a large number of outages in Chester and Newell had been addressed, but many remained without electricity in Weirton, New Cumberland and outlying areas.

Ober said MonPower had dispatched additional crews to work on downed lines.

"They definitely have more folks here than normal, and they seem to be working around the clock," he said.

"MonPower sent additional crews. They sent some people up from the south," said Andy Nickerson, director of the Brooke County Emergency Management Agency.

"They're chipping away at them (the outages)," said Nickerson, who estimated 2,400 homes and businesses were still without power late Friday.

They and other emergency officials have noted more outages could occur, as fragile tree limbs collapse under the weight of heavy ice.

Officials with American Electric Power, which serves Jefferson and Harrison counties, urge residents to stay away from downed wires and not to attempt to remove tree limbs or other debris within 10 feet of a power line. They noted tree limbs and other material blown by wind can conceal downed lines.

Officials with MonPower, a FirstEnergy company that serves much of the Northern Panhandle, encourages residents to report downed power lines and utility poles by dialing 911.

Both companies remind residents not to operate lanterns, heaters or fuel-fired stoves without proper ventilation because they can result in a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide.

Residents also should refuel heaters, lamps and generators outside and away from any flames or sparks and wipe up any spilled fuel immediately.

AEP also advises residents without power to unplug major appliances to protect them when power is restored and to advise the company if they are using a generator for the protection of crews working on lines and themselves.

On Friday, the National Weather Service anticipated a break from precipitation during the next several days, with only isolated snow showers on Saturday morning.

High daily temperatures were expected to rise from 37 degrees on Sunday to 40 on Wednesday.

Because of the recent heavy rainfall and the advent of warmer temperatures, emergency officials said they will continue to monitor area creeks for potential flooding.

Ober said that's very important because it can be difficult to predict how quickly ground near local streams will become saturated with melted snow and ice.

Nickerson said on Friday, he and others observed large chunks of ice floating in some creeks but "luckily we had no issues with flooding."

Area residents still without power may turn to one of many designated warming shelters. They are encouraged to call in advance, if possible.

● In Hancock County, the Weirton Millsop Community Center, (304) 797-8560; Newell Fire Department, (304) 387-0795; Chester Fire Department, (304) 387-1690; and New Cumberland Fire Department, (304) 564-3829.

● In Jefferson County, the Steubenville Urban Mission, (740) 283-1621; Knoxville Fire Department, (740) 544-5211; Toronto Fire Department, (740) 537-5011; St. Florian Hall at the Wintersville Fire Department, (304) 264-7048; Saline Township Community Center, (330) 532-2195; Mingo Junction City Building, (740) 535-1263; Wells Township Community Center in Brilliant, (740) 598-4222; Amsterdam Community Church of God, (740) 543-3927; Glenn Mills Senior Community Center in Richmond, (740) 543-4365.

Nickerson said several Brooke County locations are prepared to serve as warming shelters if needed. Those needing one may call (304) 737-5002.

(Scott may be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)