Thursday, February 04, 2010

"Potentially paralyzing" snow storm this weekend?

AccuWeather updated their storm site this morning complete with a graph of the Eastern United States. There is "disruptive snowfall" ... and then there's "potentially paralyzing." Guess who is under the "potentially paralyzing" part of the graphic.

Hmm. Wonder what "potentially paralyzing" means?

Officially in the SWAC area the weatherman has warned of "12-20 inches of snow" for Friday through Saturday and the area is now under a Winter Storm Watch that will become a Winter Storm Warning this afternoon. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has declared a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth.

Unofficially? The rumors have been running rampant since Monday. Among those rumors are reports of 30, 40, 50, and 60 inches of snow ... there are rumors that VDOT has notified local trucking companies of the impending potential disastrous snowfall and rumors that Staunton police were overheard in the Staunton post office warning mail carriers of the storm ... and reports that officials did not want to "alarm the public."

Some of the rumors were captured by today's Waynesboro News Virginian with official responses from VDOT and others.

Meanwhile, locals prepare for what could be a repeat of the December "Blizzard of 2009" that saw 27" of snow in our little corner in western Augusta County. With varying weather reports of possible ice and the thoughts of possible power outages, SWAC Husband and I are preparing:

- Flashlights and batteries ... check.
- Generator ready to go, extra fuel ... check.
- Firewood stockpiled on back porch and covered ... check.
- Jugs and bottles of water ... check.
- Chili pot going ... check.
- Hot chocolate, tea, coffee ... check.
- Super Bowl goodies ready for Sunday ... check!

Do I believe we will have 60 inches of snow? No ... but we've tried to prepare for what does come our way.

Be safe out there because it's winter in the Shenandoah Valley....

H/T to Connie

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