Feb 09 2010
From Pete Zapadka
As if the 2 feet of snow over the weekend wasn't enough. The next icy blast is on the doorstep.
The outer fringes of the next snowstorm predicted to impact the region starting today began with flurries moving into southwestern Pennsylvania before dawn. But because much of the Tri-State area is still reeling from the last storms, many schools and other organizations already are closed. See information about school closings and delays on KDKA.com, the Post-Gazette's news partner.
Snow has begun to move into southwestern Pennsylvania. (image updates periodically)
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a winter storm warning from 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. Wednesday for eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and most of Pennsylvania. Accumulations of 6 to 10 inches can be expected.
The weather service also said that as the storm moves east by Wednesday, winds from the northwest will gust from 20 to 30 mph. With continuing accumulation, the winds will cause blowing and drifting snow.
Follow the latest news and developments throughout the day on The Big Story blog.
See the PG's weather page for the latest conditions and forecast -- and the Countdown till Spring clock. Commuters also can access the updated traffic conditions.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10040/1034568-100.stm#ixzz0f2d1q2pY
Feb 09 2010
From Jon Schmitz
Port Authority expects to have service this morning on all but 22 bus routes, and has restored power in the Downtown subway.
In the wake of the weekend snowstorm, the authority was unable to serve 90 bus routes on Monday. Light Rail Transit service terminated at First Avenue because of a power failure in the subway.
In an advisory issued late last night, the authority warned riders to expect delays for the morning rush hour. It also said 39 bus routes faced detours because of roads that are still impassable. There will be no service on the 52 Allentown rail line, nor will shuttle buses serve the route because of poor road conditions, the authority said. The Mon Incline will operate but the Wabash Tunnel HOV lane will be closed.
Feb 08 2010
From the city
MEDIA ADVISORY
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MAYOR UPDATES RESIDENTS
ON EFFORTS TO CLEAR ROADS
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(PITTSBURGH) Feb. 8, 2010 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today held a
press conference, updating the public on efforts to clear City roads.
All Public Works Crews have been ordered to focus their efforts on
plowing the City's secondary roads in a maximized effort to resolve
access into all neighborhoods. As of 4 p.m., crews cleared roughly 50
percent of the City's secondary roads. At 10 a.m., that number was at
roughly 15 percent.
"We're doing everything we can to get a handle on our roads in order
to position ourselves for this next storm," Ravenstahl said. "Our goal
is to have every secondary street touched by tomorrow's storm. In
addition, it's all hands on deck. Firefighters, police, paramedics, and
PA National Guardsmen will be out in the neighborhoods assisting the
elderly and anyone who needs support."
The City has brought in additional resources - including PennDOT
plows, Airport Authority equipment, outside contractors, and the
Pennsylvania National Guard. DPW is currently operating with more than
80 pieces of equipment.
In addition, the Mayor has asked that any contractors with heavy equipment or snow removing capabilities call 412-473-2550.
The National Guard has assisted public safety efforts since 6 p.m.
yesterday. As of 4 p.m. today, they helped police with 75 calls, EMS
with 42, and transported 10 citizens to warming centers.
The City has contacted all senior citizens who are registered at the
City's senior centers to check on their well being. Firefighters and
National Guardsmen will begin patrolling neighborhoods to help any
citizens who may need assistance.
The City's 311line is now operating 24-hours until further notice.
Staff will double from eight to sixteen tomorrow in order to handle the
above-normal call volume. Residents may also submit requests to 311 for
tree removal or necessary transport by logging onto www.pittsburghpa.gov and clicking on "311."
Residents may also sign up for critical public safety alerts at this site.
Residents are reminded to only call 311 if they have a non
life-threatening emergency or to report downed trees. For example, if
you need to get medicine tomorrow by 3 p.m. - call 311. If your
condition worsens call 911.
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Feb 08 2010
Garbage
and recycling pickup for Pittsburgh residents is still suspended until further notice.
In addition, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has ordered all non-essential employees to stay home Tuesday.
Feb 08 2010
From Joyce Gannon:
Four greenhouses at Soergel's Orchards in Wexford were destroyed in Friday night's storm when their roofs collapsed under the weight of the heavy, wet snow.
Randy Soergel estimated the damage at between $150,000 and $200,000 and said he's not sure when or if they will be replaced.
The four greenhouses are used for geraniums, hanging flower baskets and other annual plants. Mr. Soergel said the orchard's perennial plants, fruit trees and retail market were not damaged.
No heat was running in the greenhouses because Mr. Soergel typically doesn't begin using them until March, he said.
He developed the greenhouses for flowers and annual plants beginning in 1980 as a division of the company that his parents launched in the 1960s.
Feb 08 2010
From Rob Owen
At 5 p.m., two cops were stationed at the corner of Forbes and Morewood avenues in front of Carnegie Mellon University. Their purpose? To push the eastbound cars that inevitably got stuck. Students walking by also joined to help push.
As a 61C rolled past, the driver opened the door and teasing the cops, shouted, "I need a push!"
Then his bus promptly got stuck. Other buses were able to navigate around the stranded 61C but there was still quite a backup on Forbes into Oakland.
Feb 08 2010
From Kaitlynn Riely
Snow-buried Pittsburghers may have trouble finding a
shovel as a new round of snow approaches the area.
Several local
stores, including the Home Depots in East Liberty and Ohio Township, the
Kmart in Shaler and the WalMart in Scott Township, said they had sold out of
their snow shovels.
Doug Satterfield, one of the co-owners of
Rollier's Hardware on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon, said he sold more than 300
shovels, starting Saturday morning, until running
out earlier today.
But Rollier's has ordered more, he said, and by
tomorrow afternoon he hopes to have 250 more snow shovels in stock and also more
ice scrapers, chemicals and portable heaters.
Feb 08 2010
From Jim McKinnon
Residents in Fayette are increasingly frustrated because thousands have been
without electricity since Friday evening. The situation is even worse in
Washington
County, possibly the hardest hit
region for lost power.
Doug Colafella, spokesman for
Allegheny Energy, said the company had restored service to 160,000 customers in
Western Pennsylvania, leaving 65,000 still without
electricity today.
About 12,000 of those without
service are in southern and northern reaches of
Allegheny
County, including Bethel
Park and Upper St. Clair, he said.
Allegheny Energy, which has called
on its service pool and outside contractors from five states, have crews working
16-hiour shifts to keep pace with the work.
Some customers, mostly in place
difficult to reach in Washington, Greene and southern portions of Westmoreland
counties, may be without electricity for the next few days, Mr. Colafella
said.
The storms have caused widespread
damage to the company's power distribution system. In those southern counties,
the snow was wet and heavy, causing trees and power lines to fall, he said.
Feb 08 2010
From Jon Schmitz
Port Authority said this afternoon that riders should expect continuing delays during the evening rush hour.
In a 4 p.m. statement, the authority said service is being provided on more than 100 bus routes and on the Light Rail Transit system. A complete list of routes, along with detours and service limitations, is posted at portauthority.org.
Sixty bus routes remain out of service due to weather-related issues across the county.
The T continues to provide service to the First Avenue Station in Downtown. A power issue in the Downtown subway prevents service to the Steel Plaza and Wood Street stations. Bus shuttles have been serving temporary stops outside the stations. The Allentown line is not operating.
The Mon Incline is operating. The Wabash Tunnel HOV lanes are closed. The authority is working to plow park-n-ride lots.
Feb 08 2010
APPROXIMATELY 3,800 DUQUESNE LIGHT CUSTOMERS REMAIN OUT OF POWER AS RESTORATION EFFORTS CONTINUE IN EARNEST
5 p.m. update - 2-8-2010
PITTSBURGH - Approximately 3,800 Duquesne Light customers are still out of service this afternoon, as Duquesne Light crews work around the clock to clean up the damage left from this weekend's heavy snows. This is down from a high of 57,000 customers reached Saturday morning.
As restoration efforts continue around the clock, and new cases of trouble are found, Duquesne Light is projecting to have power restored to the largest number of customers by midnight Monday. The remaining customers out of service should be restored by Wednesday afternoon.
For their safety, residents are urged to take caution and avoid downed wires. Do not drive over wires nor attempt to move them, nor should residents try to remove trees and branches from wires.
Residents are also asked to please report any outages by calling Duquesne Light at 1-888-393-7000, or by visiting www.duqlight.com.
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