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D.C. area hunkers down for blizzard; Bowser warns of ‘life-threatening’ event D.C. area hunkers down for blizzard; few were out on roads and on Metro
(35 minutes later)
The D.C. region braced for a winter storm Friday that is expected to drop between 20 and 30 inches of snow on the area, with utility companies, highway officials and police agencies warning residents to be prepared with supplies and to expect power outages and days of cleanup. The D.C. region braced for a winter storm Friday that is expected to drop 20 to 30 inches of snow on the area, with utility companies, highway officials and police agencies warning residents to be prepared with supplies and to expect power outages and days of cleanup.
Already, schools and child-care centers in the region were closed or were closing early. Most of the city’s attractions, such as the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, were closing early and would be shut down through the weekend. And the National Park Service also announced that the Mall will be closed to the public at noon.Already, schools and child-care centers in the region were closed or were closing early. Most of the city’s attractions, such as the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, were closing early and would be shut down through the weekend. And the National Park Service also announced that the Mall will be closed to the public at noon.
The federal government was sending its workers home by noon, but many already took the day off on leave or chose to work from home. Most of the roadways in the region on Friday morning looked more like a weekend, with no major hiccups on major highways, including the Capital Beltway and Interstate 66. This was a relief two days after a two-inch snowfall during the afternoon rush hour created epic commutes home. The federal government was sending its workers home by noon, but many already took the day off on leave or chose to work from home. Most of the roadways in the region Friday morning looked more like a weekend, with no major hiccups on major highways, including the Capital Beltway and Interstate 66. This was a relief two days after a two-inch snowfall during the afternoon rush hour created epic commutes.
Area officials tried to assure residents that they were better prepared for the big storm after Wednesday’s failure. Still, D.C. officials warned that while they are well staffed with emergency personnel on hand, there may be delays in terms of response times because of the heavy snowfall. [ Crippling blizzard bears down on D.C.: The final forecast ]
Area officials tried to assure residents that they were better prepared for the big storm after Wednesday’s failure. Still, D.C. officials warned that while they are well staffed with emergency personnel on hand, there may be delays in response times because of the heavy snowfall.
“We have a forecast that we haven’t had in 90 years,” D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said.“We have a forecast that we haven’t had in 90 years,” D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said.
Bowser, at a news conference Friday morning, called the coming storm a “life-threatening” event and warned residents to hunker down by 3 p.m., shelter in place and stay off the roads. They said residents should have 72 hours worth of supplies as well. Bowser, at a news conference Friday morning, called the coming storm a “life-threatening” event and warned residents to hunker down by 3 p.m., shelter in place and stay off the roads. They said residents should have 72 hours’ worth of supplies as well.
City officials warned residents that because of the expected snowfall levels, the city will be dealing with snow for the next week and its cleanup. They said residents should not expect to see snow plows on Saturday, but Sunday they expect to dig people out with greater effort. “We see this as a major storm,” Bowser said. “It has life-and-death implications and all the residents of the District of Columbia should treat it that way.”
Most area residents seemed to be heeding such warnings, but there were some people still traveling to downtown. Some Metro trains were packed Friday morning with the large crowd expected to attend the annual March for Life at noon near the Washington Monument, even though forecasters upped the timing of the snow’s arrival. Bowser and the District’s top emergency official said that 36 hours of “wet and heavy” snow is likely to bring down trees and power lines. Winds could reach 50 mph, they said. And there might be times during the storm when the District is getting 3 inches of snow per hour.
[ D.C. area forecast: Snow arrives midday, blizzard conditions set to shutter region through weekend ] City officials warned residents that because of the expected snowfall levels, the city will be dealing with snow and its cleanup for the next week. They said residents should not expect to see snow plows Saturday, but Sunday they expect to dig people out with greater effect.
The Capital Weather Gang said it now expects the snow to arrive as early 11 a.m. in the southwest parts of the region and move through the area. The snow will include high winds and snow drifts and last through Sunday morning. [How to prepare for this weekend’s high-impact winter storm]
The marchers and remaining commuters, however, need to plan on getting back out of downtown early: Metro on Thursday afternoon announced plans to shut down its rail and bus services early in anticipation of the storm — a move it hasn’t done in its 40 year history. The Washington Capitals have a game scheduled Friday night in the District and the Washington Wizards have a game Saturday night. But city leaders said they’ve talked to officials from those teams and asked them to cancel their games.
Chris T. Geldart, director of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, implored the Capitals and Wizards to cancel the games at a news conference Friday morning.
“We talked to all of these organizations and we told them, ‘We are telling our residents, the folks here in the city, to be off the streets by 3 o’clock.’
“If the Capitals decide to bring their players in and put them in danger like that, then the other folks do the same, I cannot tell the NHL or the NBA what to do,” he said. “... But I would highly encourage them, do not have those games.”
Most area residents seemed to be heeding such warnings, but there were some people still making their way downtown. Some Metro trains were packed Friday morning with the large crowd expected to attend the annual March for Life at noon near the Washington Monument, even though forecasters upped the timing of the snow’s arrival.
The Capital Weather Gang said it now expects the snow to arrive as early as 11 a.m. in the southwest parts of the region and move through the area. The snow will include high winds and snow drifts and last through Sunday morning.
The marchers and remaining commuters, however, need to plan on getting back out of downtown early: Metro announced plans Thursday afternoon to shut down its rail and bus services early in anticipation of the storm — a move it hasn’t made in its 40 year history.
Metro’s bus service will stop at 5 p.m., and its rail lines will shut down at 11 p.m. — four hours earlier than normal for a Friday night. The system isn’t expected to return to normal service until Monday. The weekend shutdown will make it difficult for those who depend on the system to get to jobs in the area.Metro’s bus service will stop at 5 p.m., and its rail lines will shut down at 11 p.m. — four hours earlier than normal for a Friday night. The system isn’t expected to return to normal service until Monday. The weekend shutdown will make it difficult for those who depend on the system to get to jobs in the area.
Cabs and car services were expected to have additional surcharges during the storm.Cabs and car services were expected to have additional surcharges during the storm.
[Blizzard cancellation blues: ‘It’s the event of the year. Or it was supposed to be.’]
Area airports were open and busy Friday morning, but American Airlines has canceled all Saturday flights into and out of D.C. and Philadelphia in anticipation of the storm that is expected to hit the East Coast. Area airports were crowded as many travelers tried to move their flights earlier.Area airports were open and busy Friday morning, but American Airlines has canceled all Saturday flights into and out of D.C. and Philadelphia in anticipation of the storm that is expected to hit the East Coast. Area airports were crowded as many travelers tried to move their flights earlier.
Pepco warned its customers of the possibility of “extensive power outages,” but assured them that it was prepared, with more than 500 linemen, contractors and tree crews at the ready.Pepco warned its customers of the possibility of “extensive power outages,” but assured them that it was prepared, with more than 500 linemen, contractors and tree crews at the ready.
“Because icy roads hamper restoration efforts, Pepco is prepared for the possibility of widespread outages that could take days to restore,” the utility said in a statement put out Friday. It went on to say that with downed trees and impassable roads “our restoration efforts could take multiple days.” “Because icy roads hamper restoration efforts, Pepco is prepared for the possibility of widespread outages that could take days to restore,” the utility said in a statement put out Friday. It went on to say that with downed trees and impassable roads, “our restoration efforts could take multiple days.”
[Blizzard cancellation blues: ‘It’s the event of the year. Or it was supposed to be.’]
On the roads Friday morning, crews in Maryland, Virginia and the District were also gearing up and starting to spread some treatments on the highways.On the roads Friday morning, crews in Maryland, Virginia and the District were also gearing up and starting to spread some treatments on the highways.
Highway officials in Virginia assured residents that the state had 4,000 trucks out treating roads and planned to work long shifts, but they warned it could take 48 hours after the snowfall stops before roads are cleared. Translation: Even Monday morning’s commute could be a mess. Parts of Loudoun County are expected to be hardest hit with high levels of snowfall. Highway officials in Virginia assured residents that the state had 4,000 trucks out treating roads and planned to work long shifts, but they warned that it could take 48 hours after the snowfall stops before roads are cleared. Translation: Even Monday morning’s commute could be a mess. Parts of Loudoun County are expected to be hardest hit, with high levels of snowfall.
On social media, photos of the white stuff already falling in some western and southern parts of Virginia were showing up. Virginia State Police posted an image of Interstate 81 in Wythe County, about 300 miles southwest of D.C., with snow covering the lanes. Corinne N. Geller, a spokeswoman for the department, said there is already five to six inches of snow on the ground, but said the highway was mostly empty.On social media, photos of the white stuff already falling in some western and southern parts of Virginia were showing up. Virginia State Police posted an image of Interstate 81 in Wythe County, about 300 miles southwest of D.C., with snow covering the lanes. Corinne N. Geller, a spokeswoman for the department, said there is already five to six inches of snow on the ground, but said the highway was mostly empty.
“That means folks are heeding the warnings and staying safe by staying home,” she said in an email.“That means folks are heeding the warnings and staying safe by staying home,” she said in an email.
Of course, some area residents were doing the one last run to the grocery store for the essentials. At the Whole Foods in Tenleytown, there were still plenty of options for wine but few bananas — a popular item that lasts even during power outages.Of course, some area residents were doing the one last run to the grocery store for the essentials. At the Whole Foods in Tenleytown, there were still plenty of options for wine but few bananas — a popular item that lasts even during power outages.
Staff writers Luz Lazo, Ashley Halsey III and Michael E. Ruane contributed to this report. City officials also warned residents to be wary of alternative heating sources: Keep generators, the sources of potentially dangerous fumes, outdoors; use flashlights instead of candles; and keep space heaters away from things that can catch fire.
Geldart and Bowser urged residents to stay indoors throughout Friday and Saturday. To the Dupont Circle residents hoping for a snowball fight? “Sunday is a great day,” Geldart said.
Even with so many residents and area officials focused on the coming snowstorm, many were already thinking of how to get around next week.
Olivia Adler of Northwest Washington was headed to New York City this weekend for her granddaughter’s 2nd birthday and said she was anxious about getting back Sunday. To be sure, she bought another ticket for Monday.
“I don’t know what I’ll do,” she said of getting back to her home with no Metro trains or buses running and leaving her housesitter and cats behind in D.C. as she waited for an Amtrak train at Union Station on Friday. “Maybe I will have to walk the five miles home.”
Ashley Halsey III, Abigail Hauslohner, Luz Lazo and Michael E. Ruane contributed to this report.