State Officials Ready Public For Storm

As a major snowstorm bears down on West Virginia, the governor’s office is preparing the state for the storm. 

Governor Tomblin issued a state of preparedness for the state Wednesday. It allows him to activate the National Guard if necessary and make sure the department of transportation and division of highways have all the support and resources they need. Chris Stadelman is the Communications Director for the Governor’s office and said they want people to be ready for the 36-hour event that is approaching. 

“We’re already encouraging people to pay attention to the conditions, avoid travel if you can and then absolutely be responsible, if we have people that are in accidents they tie up traffic and then our snow plows get stuck in the traffic and it keeps us from getting the state assets out to be able to do what they need to do,” Stadelman said.

Stadelman said that as of Thursday afternoon, the forecast is showing that storms will likely move in from the southern coalfields into the Huntington – Charleston area around 10 to 11 a.m. The Kanawha Valley is predicted to get between 12 and 18 inches of snow. Worst case that could elevate to two feet. He says the Eastern Panhandle could get anywhere from two to three feet. The rest of the state could also see significant snowfall as well.