Neighborhood snow scenes showed nature’s beauty on Saturday night
As VDOT began making road preparations for January’s ice and snow storm, forecasts were warning of the possibility of high totals. Virginia’s new governor, Abigail Spanberger faced her first weather emergency, asking Virginians to prepare their homes and stay off the roads; declaring a state of emergency.
By early Saturday, many Northern Virginia area roads and interstates had been pre-treated with a brine solution. By Saturday afternoon, contract drivers, like Edgar Kombe, of Hyattsville, Md. were sitting in heavy vehicles positioned to salt or plow. Kombe’s large truck, loaded with rock salt, one of two waiting just off Richmond Highway in Lorton, was ready to apply the salt to roadways once snow depth reached the one to two inch mark needed for effectiveness. The two contracted vehicles were part of a VDOT response fleet of 3,200 pieces of equipment, including heavy trucks and front-end loaders intended to move large masses of snow if needed. The equipment either belonged to, or was directed by, VDOT, which has the responsibility to face nature’s onslaught, keeping Fairfax County roads safe for area motorists.
Kombe knew he would have a long wait until his truck would see action. Trucks are placed well in advance of the storm for certainty in reaching needed service areas. HIs truck would run through his entire wait time to assure no engine re-start issues, with a side benefit of keeping him warm. His engine, designed to run for long periods with low fuel consumption, would assure he still had sufficient fuel when he received his call to begin operation. He would pass the extended time entertained by his smart phone and taking a nap, until receiving the text message to begin laying down his load.
Snow-response truck drivers were not the only ones with a wait. Fairfax County Public School teachers and students woke Sunday morning to falling snow and sleet, wondering how long it would take school administrators to announce a Monday school closing. Schools did close on Monday, and again on Tuesday and Wednesday. Matched with planned off-days on Thursday and Friday, children found themselves safe from navigating treacherous routes and with a lot of time for snow play. Sledding and snow tunnel construction took preference over snowmen and snowball fights, as dictated by the snow’s fine, icy quality. Sledding was fast and steering difficult on icy surfaces leading pediatricians and ERs to fear for broken bones and recommend use of helmets to prevent possible head traumas from tree or ground collisions.
After the storm, those who had no alternative to street parking often found cars well buried by accumulated and plowed snow. Several living in District 18 neighborhoods contacted Del. Kathy Tran complaining of unplowed or minimally attended streets, prompting her letter of concern to VDOT. Springfield’s Brookfield postal branch attempted parcel delivery early in the week; returning to attempts at wider delivery on Thursday, where carriers found plowed streets. Many homeowners followed the county’s suggestion, not mandate, to shovel sidewalks in front of their houses and assisted neighbors, and volunteered to shovel at area schools. Other walkways were left unaddressed, leaving those on foot to navigate a maze, or walk in streets to make their way.
Sadly, for three local residents, the extreme weather was more than inconvenient or difficult to deal with. It was deadly. Police officers responding to a call to Kings Park West, found a man in his 70s who collapsed and died while clearing snow outside his home. In a second incident, a 50-year old man, living in a tent on a property on Backlick Road in Springfield, was found deceased by a friend checking on him. An elderly woman was found in the backyard of her home on School Lane in Falls Church and pronounced dead at the hospital. These tragedies are a reminder to all of how dangerous winter conditions can be.
For Fairfax County’s suggestions on how to prepare for and remain safety during winter storms, see: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/winter-weather-emergency-preparedness
