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| Snow begins to fall in D.C. and suburbs; is expected to intensify in coming hours | Snow begins to fall in D.C. and suburbs; is expected to intensify in coming hours |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An intensifying snowfall had begun sticking to the District’s streets by 2:30 p.m. Friday as the region braced for a potentially historic winter storm that is expected to drop 20 to 30 inches of powder over the weekend. Meanwhile, utility companies, government officials and police agencies have warned residents to gather supplies, stay off the roads and expect extended power outages that precede days of cleanup. | |
| Despite those words of caution, D.C.’s streets remained busy early this afternoon — even as forecasters predicted that the snow would soon be falling at a rate of more than an inch every hour. | Despite those words of caution, D.C.’s streets remained busy early this afternoon — even as forecasters predicted that the snow would soon be falling at a rate of more than an inch every hour. |
| The storm — named Jonas by the Weather Channel and Snowzilla by the Capital Weather Gang — will include high winds and snow drifts that last through Sunday morning. | The storm — named Jonas by the Weather Channel and Snowzilla by the Capital Weather Gang — will include high winds and snow drifts that last through Sunday morning. |
| By late morning, the region’s schools, malls and child-care centers were already shuttering. Most of the city’s attractions, including the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, announced closures that would last through the weekend, and the National Park Service said the Mall would be closed to the public at noon. | |
| [Live blog: Latest updates on storm and its impact] | [Live blog: Latest updates on storm and its impact] |
| The federal government was sending its workers home by midday, but many had already taken the day off or chosen to work from home. Most of region’s roadways looked more like they do on a weekend day than a Friday, with no significant 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. | The federal government was sending its workers home by midday, but many had already taken the day off or chosen to work from home. Most of region’s roadways looked more like they do on a weekend day than a Friday, with no significant 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 dusting debacle. 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. | Area officials tried to assure residents that they were better prepared for the big storm after Wednesday’s dusting debacle. 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. |
| [ The latest from Capital Weather Gang as the blizzard bears down ] | [ The latest from Capital Weather Gang as the blizzard bears down ] |
| Bowser called the coming storm a “life-threatening” event at a news conference Friday morning and warned residents to hunker down by 3 p.m., stay in place and stay off the roads. They said residents should have 72 hours’ worth of supplies. | Bowser called the coming storm a “life-threatening” event at a news conference Friday morning and warned residents to hunker down by 3 p.m., stay in place and stay off the roads. They said residents should have 72 hours’ worth of supplies. |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| 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, and the District may at times get 3 inches of snow per hour. | 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, and the District may at times get 3 inches of snow per hour. |
| City officials warned residents that the city will be dealing with cleanup throughout the upcoming week and said residents should not expect to see snow plows before Sunday. | City officials warned residents that the city will be dealing with cleanup throughout the upcoming week and said residents should not expect to see snow plows before Sunday. |
| [How to prepare for this storm and stay safe during it] | [How to prepare for this storm and stay safe during it] |
| Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan echoed that call for patience, saying it would take time for crews to clear the snow. | Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan echoed that call for patience, saying it would take time for crews to clear the snow. |
| “We’re not magicians,” he said. “We can’t make it disappear.” | “We’re not magicians,” he said. “We can’t make it disappear.” |
| The District could see “multi-day” outages, Pepco officials cautioned Friday in advance of what will almost certainly be the utility’s most formidable test in years. | |
| Company officials said it was too early to predict how the power lines would stand up to the storm but added that areas with above-ground lines and tree cover were the most vulnerable. Those areas include Northwest, upper Northeast and Southeast Washington. | |
| Pepco has faced intense criticism for its relative slowness restoring power after past events, such as Snowmaggedon in 2010, when 98,000 customers lost electricity. | |
| Since then, company officials said, they have invested millions in hardening their infrastructure and training for emergencies. | |
| Still, restoring power in a storm of this ferocity is likely to be “a bit of a slog,” said Pepco’s vice president of asset management, Michael Maxwell. | |
| The utility has 150 internal linemen, 200 contractors, and 200 tree crews at the ready, he said. Another 450 people from other utilities stretching from New England to South Carolina have come to the area to help — a result of mutual-aid agreements. | |
| Meanwhile, both the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards postponed games they were scheduled to play Friday and Saturday, respectively. City leaders had pleaded with team officials to reschedule. | |
| Most area residents seemed to heed the warnings, but some people were still making their way downtown. A few Metro trains were packed Friday morning with a large crowd expected to attend the annual March for Life at noon near the Washington Monument. | |
| [Milk, bread and 7 boxes of condoms: How D.C. prepares for storms] | [Milk, bread and 7 boxes of condoms: How D.C. prepares for storms] |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| At Reagan National Airport, few flights on the overhead monitors appeared canceled or delayed, likely because the airlines have been quick to rebook passengers and liberal in offering change fee waivers, an airport spokeswoman said. | At Reagan National Airport, few flights on the overhead monitors appeared canceled or delayed, likely because the airlines have been quick to rebook passengers and liberal in offering change fee waivers, an airport spokeswoman said. |
| Decisions about the last flight in and out of the airport are left up to the airlines, but the final takeoff will probably be one from American Airlines, said airport spokeswoman Kimberly Gibbs. | Decisions about the last flight in and out of the airport are left up to the airlines, but the final takeoff will probably be one from American Airlines, said airport spokeswoman Kimberly Gibbs. |
| Although the runways will close, she said, the airport is expected to remain open for people who are stuck there. | Although the runways will close, she said, the airport is expected to remain open for people who are stuck there. |
| Pepco warned 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 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 on 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 on Friday. It went on to say that with downed trees and impassable roads, “our restoration efforts could take multiple days.” |
| [Cancellation blues: ‘It’s the event of the year. Or it was supposed to be.’] | [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 had started to treat the highways. | On the roads Friday morning, crews in Maryland, Virginia and the District had started to treat the highways. |
| Highway officials in Virginia told residents 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. | Highway officials in Virginia told residents 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 were being posted of the white stuff already falling in some western and southern parts of Virginia. 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 house-sitter 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.” | “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 house-sitter 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. | Ashley Halsey III, Abigail Hauslohner, Luz Lazo and Michael E. Ruane contributed to this report. |
| READ MORE: | READ MORE: |
| Why this incredible storm is so powerful | Why this incredible storm is so powerful |
| What is closed on Friday | What is closed on Friday |
| The laws and fines for not shoveling snow in the D.C. area | The laws and fines for not shoveling snow in the D.C. area |
| What to do if you see someone who needs help in freezing weather | What to do if you see someone who needs help in freezing weather |