Weather update: 35,000 out of power in West Virginia due to Winter Storm Blair

According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, 5.5 inches of snow fell Sunday, which was then covered in a coating of about 1/4 inch of ice, thanks to a freezing rain late Sunday and early Monday.

On Monday night, light snow is likely, mainly before 9 p.m. The snow should stop by Tuesday with a high near 27 and a low around 15. Frigid conditions with lows in the teens should last through the week.

Counties in central West Virgina remain under a Winter Storm Warning through 1 a.m. Tuesday.

"We had the bulk of [the weather] come in last night," said James Zvolensky, meteorologist with the NWS in Charleston. "The snow turned into sleet pretty quickly. The bulk of it is gone, out to the east."

For the rest of today, there might be more freezing rain, but not a lot of ice accumulations. Everything changes to snow this afternoon, with about 1 inch expected, possibly with higher amounts to the north.

"Colder air is filtering in by the afternoon, so any [precipitation] on the roadways could freeze," Zvolensky said. The [West Virginia] lowlands will probably come out of the Winter Storm Warning this afternoon."

Power outages

Winter Storm Blair struck hard in the Appalachian region, resulting in power outages for 73,400 customers, according to officials with Appalachian Power.

As of 7 p.m. Monday, downed power lines and fallen trees in Appalachian Power’s service territory still leave 73,400 customers without electric service, including 38,200 in Virginia and 35,200 in West Virginia.

About 5,500 personnel are working on power restoration in what ApCo officials is calling a 'multi-day restoration event."

ApCo officials say crews from Ohio, Indiana & Michigan Power are working alongside Appalachian Power employees and contractors. The out-of-state crews and the ApCo crews are all part of American Electric Power. Non AEP crews from Alabama, North and South Carolina are also helping in ApCo's service area.

View an electrical outage map here.

Here are details on when power might be restored in West Virginia:

School closings

School districts are changing their learning plans for Monday.

• Lincoln County: Non-traditional learning Monday and Tuesday
• Boone County: Closed Monday and Tuesday
• Clay County: Non-traditional learning Monday and Tuesday
• Fayette County: Closed Monday and Tuesday
• Kanawha County: Closed Monday and Tuesday
• Putnam County: Closed Monday and Tuesday

Click here to find a full list of school district closings across West Virginia.

More details from Kanawha County Schools for its employees:

• All school-based and non-261-day employees should stay at home unless contacted by a supervisor.
• All 261-day employees should report on a 2-hour delay, or contact their immediate supervisor.
• If your job is essential for snow removal, please check with your supervisor.
• All weather procedures are detailed on the KCS website.
• The KCS Board of Education meeting, set for 5 p.m. on Monday, has been canceled.

Other closings

Here's a list of other announced closings for Monday:

• Kanawha County Courthouse and Judicial Annex
• City of Charleston buildings and facilities
• All state legislative offices at the Capitol Complex

All City of Charleston police, fire, and public works employees will report according to the direction of their supervisors. All other city staff will work remotely. Refuse collection will not be impacted. A decision regarding the Charleston City Council and Finance Committee meetings will be made later on Monday.

Monday night's City Council finance committee meeting City Council meeting have been postponed to 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively, on Thursday.

Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin asked residents and business owners for patience as city crews respond to the storm.

“Our crews have been working tirelessly since before the snowfall began to clear and salt roads, prioritizing the safety of our community," said Goodwin in a statement. "To support their efforts, it’s important to keep as many people off the roads as possible so they can work safely and effectively. This also ensures our first responders can navigate the roads and respond to emergencies without unnecessary delays.”

Need to know

• Monitor the forecast
• Consider alternative travel plans
• Make sure your home and vehicle is stocked with supplies

On Sunday afternoon, Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties ahead of winter storm.

The declaration allows state agencies to coordinate ahead of a possible weather event, including by pre-positioning personnel, vehicles and equipment.

The following is a summary of current preparations underway by various state agencies:

• The West Virginia National Guard is strategically staging personnel and equipment at armories across the state in preparation for potential response needs.
• The West Virginia Division of Highways is proactively addressing weather-related challenges, working to stay ahead of the storm and ensure roadways remain passable.
• Emergency Management officials are monitoring developments and coordinating efforts to ensure a quick and effective response, with teams in place for rapid support if necessary.

“All West Virginians should absolutely be prepared for the potential impact this storm may bring,” Justice said. “Our top priority is safety, and we’re doing everything we can to stay ahead of the storm. State agencies are on high alert, and we’ll continue to monitor the situation closely. I ask all West Virginians to stay alert, follow any instructions from emergency officials, and take necessary precautions. The next few days may bring challenges, so let’s all take care of each other.”

West Virginia Department of Transportation, City of Charleston street crews and other municipal crews are prepared to keep interstates, state routes, streets and roads clear through the storm. They urge patience as they continually monitor conditions and react to them.

If you must travel

• Take your time
• Allow plenty of space between you and other cars
• Have an ice scraper, sand, traction mats, an emergency supply kit and extra warm clothing
• Fill your gas tank
• Wear your seatbelts

Prepare for extreme cold

• In your home or business, protect pipes from freezing and know where your water shut-off valves are located
• Wear warm loose fitting clothes in layers
• Check to make sure your family and friends are OK
• Bring in pets
• Use off-street parking and/or garages to allow salt trucks and plows clear passage to maintain streets and roads

Warming shelter, cold weather tips

A warming shelter will be open in Charleston from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. Monday night at the Bream SHOP, 319 W. Washington St. on Charleston’s West Side. Additional days may be added, depending on overnight lows.

Get tips on winter preparedness at weather.gov/wrn/winter_safety.

Hypothermia can occur when the body’s temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Warning signs include:

• Uncontrollable shivering
• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Drowsiness

Children should avoid playing outdoors in such conditions, and pets should be brought inside to ensure their safety. Frostbite primarily affects extremities like fingers, toes, earlobes and nose tips. Protective clothing, including hats, gloves and insulated footwear, is crucial for prevention.

Residents without adequate heating sources should contact their local emergency manager or health department for information on the nearest shelter or warming station.

“Stay safe, stay warm, and check on your neighbors during this extreme weather event,” said Dr. Sherri Young, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health.

Local emergency managers and community groups are working to report open shelters to West Virginia 211. Those in need of assistance should visit wv211.org or call 211 for information on nearby shelters and resources.

Report your weather

Report severe weather to the Gazette-Mail at gmnews@wvgazettemail.com and to the National Weather Service at weather.gov/rlx/reports.