Fun for some; work for others
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| For decades Knapp’s Hill just west of Urbanna has been a popular place for sledding. Above, from left, Trey Johnson, Keya Baylor and Katrina Reed speed down the slippery slope. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) |
The weathermen finally got it right. Their forecast of 100 percent chance of snow for last Saturday came in the form of a dry, fluffy, fun snow.
It’s as close to a perfect snowstorm as comes to Middlesex. Not too much, but plenty enough for good sledding on popular hills.
Since it was not a heavy, wet snow, it didn’t snap tree limbs and cause power lines to fall.
Even the timing was right. Starting before dawn on Saturday residents awoke to snow’s unique magic, and stayed home. By the time it stopped Saturday evening, 8 to 10 inches had fallen, along with drifts up to 18 inches.
North winds topping 25 miles per hour blew the powder into curving drifts of frozen motion.
With the ground pre-chilled, snow stuck to the roads. Sunday’s temperature didn’t crack 32 degrees. Middlesex County offices and courts were closed on Monday, with essential personnel reporting.
Schools were already closed to students for teacher work days on Monday and Tuesday. Schools also were closed Wednesday.
Milk and bread were in high demand on Friday as the storm approached. The Food Lion in Saluda was “quite busy,” said office assistant Claudia Stuart. “We were prepared and called in extra cashiers to handle the influx and tried to keep the lines short.”
| Tour upper Middlesex County with Sheriff Guy Abbott and Deputy Jason Hall and see how rough the road conditions were. (footage courtesy of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office) |
Sheriff Abbott explained that ambulances are heavy and could not get to many places they were needed due to the snow.
The two former school crossing guards were called out as drivers for the rescue SUVs, which have gone on every call since Friday night, said Lieutenant Jim Ellis. The rescue SUVs will continue to provide 24-hour coverage to assist rescue squads until the hazardous snow conditions clear.
During and after the storm, when an emergency call was received from a home, an SUV was driven to the residence and the crossing guards checked the road and access conditions.
Work release inmates from the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center rode along to shovel snow off steps and driveways so rescuers could gain access to homes. If there was too much snow, the patient was transported via the SUV to the waiting ambulance.
Deputies also used four SUVs for law enforcement, which included a domestic incident involving a shotgun.
Sheriff Abbott said all the SUVs that were used have a special “limited slip” drive train. “We got into places where a regular four-wheel drive truck couldn’t go.” Abbott said he will keep the rented SUVs until Monday in anticipation of a possible snowstorm this weekend.