Superstorm to bring more snow to West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. Snow plows were out in parts of the southern Appalachian mountains Monday, preparing for as much as 3 feet of snow in higher elevations spawned by the merger of a winter storm with Hurricane Sandy.

West Virginia officials said Monday evening snow brought on by the storm has caused traffic crash that killed woman.

Forecasters in West Virginia expanded a blizzard warning to at least 14 counties for high winds and heavy, wet snow. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin had declared a state of emergency.

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Meteorologist Brian Hughes at CBS affiliate WOWK-TV reports that counties in the east, including Elkins, Summersville and Beckley, are under blizzard warnings, while there is a winter storm warning in effect further west around Prestonsburg county. He reports residents in the blizzard warning zone can expect winds from the northwest at 20 to 40 miles per hour, with some gust at the top of peaks at 60 mph.

"We're not taking it lightly," Marlinton Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Gene Tracy said. "We're preparing for the worst -- power outages -- and getting ready to cut trees if they block the roads."

National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Axford said the overwhelming majority of residents live in lower elevations where significantly less snow was expected. No significant power outages were reported Monday.

Highway crews embarked on snow-removal efforts in several areas, including along Interstates 64 and 77 in West Virginia. Schools were closed in at least 11 counties.

By late afternoon, the snow was coming down hard in Elkins, W.Va., where folks were taking it in stride.

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Most were less concerned with the snow and more concerned about being without power for days on end, as they were after the late June "derecho" wind storm.

Brandy Wildman, 35, was buying a tank of propane so she could cook on the grill if the power to her Mill Creek home failed.

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[miaauto]

"Meteorologist Brian Hughes at CBS affiliate WOWK-TV reports that counties in the east, including Elkins, Summersville and Beckley, are under blizzard warnings. . ."

Hmmm. When did Elkins, Summersville, and Beckley become counties???????

[tiredofsameold]

Glad to see a news article about how this storm is affecting places other than the coast itself. However, it does amaze me how geographically challenged many writers for news services are anymore. Yes, Prestonsburg is further west (as it is not a county of West Virginia, but a city in eastern Kentucky). If you're talking about Preston County, WV, it's north of Randolph County (Elkins). A bit baffled.

[wvisastate]

Why does the caption of the headline picture say, "V. Va?" If you're going to write an article about West Virginia, please do us the honor of abbreviating the state correctly. That is all.

[Vicks30]

I too am amazed at the number of people who don't know it's a state. It's a shame all the scools in the other states only learn 49 states. It's such a disservice to our nation's youth.

[wvisastate]

Why does the caption of the headline picture say, "V. Va?" If you're going to write an article about West Virginia, please do us the honor of abbreviating the state correctly. That is all.

[Colt4542]

Went to Hatfield & McCoy ATV area one year when it rained a lot. Great fun. I would REALLY like to be there now with snow on the ground. Great ATV riding area and some of the country's most friendly people.

[thisiskaz]

The last sentences mentions last year's hurricane Irene, while it should say Sandy.