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| Cleanup in D.C. after historic blizzard could stretch for days | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Metro began severely limited service Monday and snow plows began penetrating some residential streets as the novelty of a monumental storm began to wear off in a region where many were eager to get back to work and school. | Metro began severely limited service Monday and snow plows began penetrating some residential streets as the novelty of a monumental storm began to wear off in a region where many were eager to get back to work and school. |
| Metro said Monday morning that beginning at 11 a.m. it was restarting aboveground service on the Red Line between Union Station and Glenmont, between Ballston and New Carrollton on the Orange Line, and between Fort Totten and Branch Avenue on the Green Line. That’s in addition to the limited service Metro announced Sunday. | |
| With federal, states and local governments shut down, as well as school systems and universities, authorities urged drivers who had been snowbound since Friday to avoid unnecessary trips so that plows could continue their work. | With federal, states and local governments shut down, as well as school systems and universities, authorities urged drivers who had been snowbound since Friday to avoid unnecessary trips so that plows could continue their work. |
| The work of snow crews was complicated by the fact that the more than two feet of snow that fell in many places could not be easily shoved aside. Much of it had to be hauled off to an open space, creating mountains of snow that would take weeks or months to melt away. | The work of snow crews was complicated by the fact that the more than two feet of snow that fell in many places could not be easily shoved aside. Much of it had to be hauled off to an open space, creating mountains of snow that would take weeks or months to melt away. |
| Several roads in the District, Maryland and Virginia were closed Monday morning because of icy conditions, snow removal or water main breaks. | Several roads in the District, Maryland and Virginia were closed Monday morning because of icy conditions, snow removal or water main breaks. |
| [Live updates on Monday as people try to dig out] | [Live updates on Monday as people try to dig out] |
| Hope for a big thaw was dimmed by the forecast, which suggested a touch of rain or snow Tuesday and Wednesday that could create icy conditions, and the possibility of more snow later in the week. Some school districts announced they would not open Tuesday. | Hope for a big thaw was dimmed by the forecast, which suggested a touch of rain or snow Tuesday and Wednesday that could create icy conditions, and the possibility of more snow later in the week. Some school districts announced they would not open Tuesday. |
| Metro, which records more than 730,000 rail trips on an average weekday, resumed service on a fraction of its operations — partial service on three underground rail lines and 22 bus routes — after being shut down for the weekend by the storm. | Metro, which records more than 730,000 rail trips on an average weekday, resumed service on a fraction of its operations — partial service on three underground rail lines and 22 bus routes — after being shut down for the weekend by the storm. |
| Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said passenger traffic Monday morning on the partially reopened subway was “extremely light,” based on reports from station managers. Because the rail system was operating fare-free, he said, it was not possible for Metro to provide accurate ridership numbers. | Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said passenger traffic Monday morning on the partially reopened subway was “extremely light,” based on reports from station managers. Because the rail system was operating fare-free, he said, it was not possible for Metro to provide accurate ridership numbers. |
| Limited service opened at 7 a.m. on the Red, Orange and Green lines. The Orange Line was running between the Ballston and Eastern Market stations, the Red Line was running between Medical Center and Union Station, and the Green Line ran between Fort Totten and Anacostia. | Limited service opened at 7 a.m. on the Red, Orange and Green lines. The Orange Line was running between the Ballston and Eastern Market stations, the Red Line was running between Medical Center and Union Station, and the Green Line ran between Fort Totten and Anacostia. |
| [D.C. region gets what it pays for when it comes to snow removal] | [D.C. region gets what it pays for when it comes to snow removal] |
| Stessel said Metro is “working on getting more parts of the rail system open as the day goes along.” He said a “massive” snow-removal and de-icing effort is continuing, involving “hundreds and hundreds” of Metro workers and contractor employees. | Stessel said Metro is “working on getting more parts of the rail system open as the day goes along.” He said a “massive” snow-removal and de-icing effort is continuing, involving “hundreds and hundreds” of Metro workers and contractor employees. |
| “We’re not going to wait to reopen the whole above-ground system in one fell swoop,” Stessel said. “We’ll open segments of the lines as soon as we’re able.” | “We’re not going to wait to reopen the whole above-ground system in one fell swoop,” Stessel said. “We’ll open segments of the lines as soon as we’re able.” |
| As for single-tracking on the Orange Line and elsewhere in Metro’s underground-only rail operation, Stessel said that “was part of the plan all along,” and it is the reason why the wait-times between trains were set at 20 to 25 minutes Monday morning, far longer than during normal rush hours. | As for single-tracking on the Orange Line and elsewhere in Metro’s underground-only rail operation, Stessel said that “was part of the plan all along,” and it is the reason why the wait-times between trains were set at 20 to 25 minutes Monday morning, far longer than during normal rush hours. |
| The continuing danger posed by the snow sent seven people to the hospital in Fairfax with carbon monoxide poisoning Sunday night after the exhaust vents inside their apartment building furnace rooms became clogged with snow. | The continuing danger posed by the snow sent seven people to the hospital in Fairfax with carbon monoxide poisoning Sunday night after the exhaust vents inside their apartment building furnace rooms became clogged with snow. |
| “This is a huge concern,” said Fairfax County fire department Captain Randy Bittinger. “We certainly don’t want people to go out in their roofs, but they should make sure those vents are also clear.” | “This is a huge concern,” said Fairfax County fire department Captain Randy Bittinger. “We certainly don’t want people to go out in their roofs, but they should make sure those vents are also clear.” |
| [This week’s forecast: Two more chances of rain or snow] | [This week’s forecast: Two more chances of rain or snow] |
| At least nine people in Maryland, Virginia and the District have died in incidents related to the blizzard, according to new figures released Monday. Several more deaths are being investigated. | At least nine people in Maryland, Virginia and the District have died in incidents related to the blizzard, according to new figures released Monday. Several more deaths are being investigated. |
| Virginia State Police said six deaths are linked to the storm – one traffic fatality in Chesapeake, and five due to hypothermia in the city of Hampton and the counties of Wise, Charles City, Gloucester and Henry. | Virginia State Police said six deaths are linked to the storm – one traffic fatality in Chesapeake, and five due to hypothermia in the city of Hampton and the counties of Wise, Charles City, Gloucester and Henry. |
| Not included in this list is a death of a man on Sunday in Leesburg who police said suffered an apparent heart attack while walking home from a store through waist high snow. A Virginia State police spokesman said this death is among several awaiting rulings from the medical examiner’s office, so the number could climb. | Not included in this list is a death of a man on Sunday in Leesburg who police said suffered an apparent heart attack while walking home from a store through waist high snow. A Virginia State police spokesman said this death is among several awaiting rulings from the medical examiner’s office, so the number could climb. |
| In Maryland, two deaths have been confirmed by authorities as snow-related. A man in his 60s died Saturday after shoveling snow in Fort Washington, in Prince George’s County, and a 49-year-old man died in Abingdon, Md., northeast of Baltimore, also while shoveling snow. | In Maryland, two deaths have been confirmed by authorities as snow-related. A man in his 60s died Saturday after shoveling snow in Fort Washington, in Prince George’s County, and a 49-year-old man died in Abingdon, Md., northeast of Baltimore, also while shoveling snow. |
| [What public transportation is running today and when] | [What public transportation is running today and when] |
| Police in Maryland are investigating two other possibly storm-related deaths. The body of a man described by police as homeless was found Sunday in Laurel, Md., in a snow bank off U.S. 1, and a woman was found earlier that day lying on a street in Hampstead, Md., about 30 miles northwest of Maryland. | Police in Maryland are investigating two other possibly storm-related deaths. The body of a man described by police as homeless was found Sunday in Laurel, Md., in a snow bank off U.S. 1, and a woman was found earlier that day lying on a street in Hampstead, Md., about 30 miles northwest of Maryland. |
| There was one storm death reported in the District, that of an 82-year-old man who D.C. fire officials said died Sunday after shoveling snow on a residential street in Northeast Washington. | There was one storm death reported in the District, that of an 82-year-old man who D.C. fire officials said died Sunday after shoveling snow on a residential street in Northeast Washington. |
| Some flights resumed Monday at the region’s three major airports after they were largely shut down over the weekend. But passengers were encouraged to check to see whether their fights were among them before heading to the airport. | Some flights resumed Monday at the region’s three major airports after they were largely shut down over the weekend. But passengers were encouraged to check to see whether their fights were among them before heading to the airport. |
| Nearly half of flights originating at Dulles International Airport had been canceled Monday morning. More than a quarter of originating flights were canceled at Reagan National Airport. The Boston Celtics re-routed their travel plans and landed at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Sunday for their game against the Washington Wizards that’s scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday. | Nearly half of flights originating at Dulles International Airport had been canceled Monday morning. More than a quarter of originating flights were canceled at Reagan National Airport. The Boston Celtics re-routed their travel plans and landed at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Sunday for their game against the Washington Wizards that’s scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday. |
| Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said Saturday that snow removal cost the commonwealth $2 million to $3 million per hour. | Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said Saturday that snow removal cost the commonwealth $2 million to $3 million per hour. |
| By Monday morning, Virginia road crews reopened the I-95 and I-395 express lanes and further cleared the Capital Beltway, but I-66 was still tough-going and many roads throughout the region were problematic, said the state’s chief transportation engineer. | By Monday morning, Virginia road crews reopened the I-95 and I-395 express lanes and further cleared the Capital Beltway, but I-66 was still tough-going and many roads throughout the region were problematic, said the state’s chief transportation engineer. |
| “The interstates, they’ve been working them but its been a struggle because of the temperatures last night,” said Garrett Moore, of the Virginia Department of Transportation. | “The interstates, they’ve been working them but its been a struggle because of the temperatures last night,” said Garrett Moore, of the Virginia Department of Transportation. |
| “95 are 495 are probably in the best shape… They’ve got some ramps they’re still clearing. There are still some hot spots where there’s ice and snow,” Moore said. | “95 are 495 are probably in the best shape… They’ve got some ramps they’re still clearing. There are still some hot spots where there’s ice and snow,” Moore said. |
| Crews struggled to clear stretches along I-66 overnight. | Crews struggled to clear stretches along I-66 overnight. |
| “As it got colder, and those banks froze up, it got more difficult for the loaders to do it. They kept up with the work, but their productions went down,” Moore said. “We ought to make much more progress during the day.” | “As it got colder, and those banks froze up, it got more difficult for the loaders to do it. They kept up with the work, but their productions went down,” Moore said. “We ought to make much more progress during the day.” |
| Many subdivisions are still not cleared, he said | Many subdivisions are still not cleared, he said |
| In the District, police said they would ticket and tow the cars of drivers who venture out and get stuck. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said the tickets could cost as much as $750, and she warned that people also could be fined for walking in the street. | In the District, police said they would ticket and tow the cars of drivers who venture out and get stuck. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said the tickets could cost as much as $750, and she warned that people also could be fined for walking in the street. |
| “We’re going to have to start stepping up and being a little more aggressive about asking our public not to be out, walking in the streets,” Lanier said. | “We’re going to have to start stepping up and being a little more aggressive about asking our public not to be out, walking in the streets,” Lanier said. |
| [The detailed analysis of how much snow fell in the region] | [The detailed analysis of how much snow fell in the region] |
| “For the next 48 to 72 hours we need you to be patient with us,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker (D) said Sunday. “We need at least 24 hours for us to clear the primary streets and secondary roads before we can get into the neighborhoods.” | “For the next 48 to 72 hours we need you to be patient with us,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker (D) said Sunday. “We need at least 24 hours for us to clear the primary streets and secondary roads before we can get into the neighborhoods.” |
| “I know people want to get out of your houses and move around, but we need you to stay at home as much as possible,” Baker said. | “I know people want to get out of your houses and move around, but we need you to stay at home as much as possible,” Baker said. |
| Montgomery County officials said crews are focusing on plowing primary roads. After that, they will move into the 4,000 lane-miles of neighborhood roads, county spokesman Patrick Lacefield said. | Montgomery County officials said crews are focusing on plowing primary roads. After that, they will move into the 4,000 lane-miles of neighborhood roads, county spokesman Patrick Lacefield said. |
| “Crews are working around the clock, but we are not just having to plow, we are also having to carry away” loads of snow, Lacefield said. | “Crews are working around the clock, but we are not just having to plow, we are also having to carry away” loads of snow, Lacefield said. |
| Event when the closest roads seemed clear, some found it difficult to get where they wanted to go. | Event when the closest roads seemed clear, some found it difficult to get where they wanted to go. |
| Mark Miller, who works for a federal contractor providing humanitarian aid in troubled spots around the world, stood patiently at a bus stop in the Petworth section of D.C. for 30 minutes, maintaining hope that the 9:30 bus would arrive because, he said, that’s what he read on Metro’s website. | Mark Miller, who works for a federal contractor providing humanitarian aid in troubled spots around the world, stood patiently at a bus stop in the Petworth section of D.C. for 30 minutes, maintaining hope that the 9:30 bus would arrive because, he said, that’s what he read on Metro’s website. |
| The he learned that Metro wasn’t beginning limited service until noon. | The he learned that Metro wasn’t beginning limited service until noon. |
| [The full list of what is closed today] | [The full list of what is closed today] |
| “Georgia Avenue doesn’t look impassable to me,” he said, gesturing at a mostly empty road . “I don’t know why they can’t get a bus out on the road. I understand why they wanted to shut it down; they’ve explained their reasons. But they should be able to get back into action. They’ve had all day yesterday. I’m staring to get a little impatient, I gotta say.” | “Georgia Avenue doesn’t look impassable to me,” he said, gesturing at a mostly empty road . “I don’t know why they can’t get a bus out on the road. I understand why they wanted to shut it down; they’ve explained their reasons. But they should be able to get back into action. They’ve had all day yesterday. I’m staring to get a little impatient, I gotta say.” |
| That feeling spread through the Northwest Side neighborhood that, while undergoing a wave of new development that has brought in more working professionals, also has many working class residents who need to report to their hourly wage jobs or somehow find a way to put more food in their refrigerators. | That feeling spread through the Northwest Side neighborhood that, while undergoing a wave of new development that has brought in more working professionals, also has many working class residents who need to report to their hourly wage jobs or somehow find a way to put more food in their refrigerators. |
| Dave Weems, 66, ventured out with his walker into the unplowed side streets for a trip to a local payday loan company branch. | Dave Weems, 66, ventured out with his walker into the unplowed side streets for a trip to a local payday loan company branch. |
| With his food running low, Weems has trying to collect the $80 that his brother wired over to him on Friday. | With his food running low, Weems has trying to collect the $80 that his brother wired over to him on Friday. |
| The check cashing office, sporting a sign offering money grams with “fast cash” to people in need, was closed. | The check cashing office, sporting a sign offering money grams with “fast cash” to people in need, was closed. |
| “I have no money,” Weems said, who has relied on neighbors for food this weekend. “I’ve been trying to get money so I can feed myself. I’ve been trying to get something in my refrigerator since Friday.” | “I have no money,” Weems said, who has relied on neighbors for food this weekend. “I’ve been trying to get money so I can feed myself. I’ve been trying to get something in my refrigerator since Friday.” |
| Yonas Kidane said his battle has been with boredom. The Reagan National Airport taxi dispatcher who arrived to Washington from Eritrea five years ago said he was initially captivated by his first-ever major snowstorm. | Yonas Kidane said his battle has been with boredom. The Reagan National Airport taxi dispatcher who arrived to Washington from Eritrea five years ago said he was initially captivated by his first-ever major snowstorm. |
| Now, after being shut in for three days, he’d just like life to return to normal. | Now, after being shut in for three days, he’d just like life to return to normal. |
| “When you work, time goes by fast,” he said. “When you don’t work, it is slow. Very slow.” | “When you work, time goes by fast,” he said. “When you don’t work, it is slow. Very slow.” |
| [Major flooding on coastline: ‘This is worse than Sandy’] | [Major flooding on coastline: ‘This is worse than Sandy’] |
| Laura Sigman, her ice cleats clacking against the pavement through the snow mush, marched up a mostly cleared District street 3.4 miles from her patients. | Laura Sigman, her ice cleats clacking against the pavement through the snow mush, marched up a mostly cleared District street 3.4 miles from her patients. |
| “I work in the emergency room, so I gotta go,” Sigman said. “Not many cars out.” | “I work in the emergency room, so I gotta go,” Sigman said. “Not many cars out.” |
| She wasn’t supposed to work the 7 a.m. shift, but another physician who lives in Rockville, Md. couldn’t get out. And other colleagues at Children’s National Medical Center camped there all weekend. | She wasn’t supposed to work the 7 a.m. shift, but another physician who lives in Rockville, Md. couldn’t get out. And other colleagues at Children’s National Medical Center camped there all weekend. |
| Sigman said she probably could have driven her car, if it was dug out, but she couldn’t risk it. | Sigman said she probably could have driven her car, if it was dug out, but she couldn’t risk it. |
| “I’m from Chicago, and I thought it was better to walk because the streets are not usually plowed here,” Sigman said. | “I’m from Chicago, and I thought it was better to walk because the streets are not usually plowed here,” Sigman said. |
| But her’s was, at least on this stretch. | But her’s was, at least on this stretch. |
| Her parents, still in Chicago, said the massive snow dump from Washington’s blizzard was impressive, warm words from a city that has been known to do a bit of scoffing, as President Obama did in 2009 when noting: “As my children pointed out, in Chicago, school is never canceled.” | Her parents, still in Chicago, said the massive snow dump from Washington’s blizzard was impressive, warm words from a city that has been known to do a bit of scoffing, as President Obama did in 2009 when noting: “As my children pointed out, in Chicago, school is never canceled.” |
| But after trudging past the sights of a city still socked in, including a 72-year-old mechanic struggling to break free a snow-bound 4-wheel-drive Jeep, Sigman acknowledged that her adopted city had gotten it pretty good. | But after trudging past the sights of a city still socked in, including a 72-year-old mechanic struggling to break free a snow-bound 4-wheel-drive Jeep, Sigman acknowledged that her adopted city had gotten it pretty good. |
| “I guess, legitimately, it’s a pretty big storm,” Sigman said. | “I guess, legitimately, it’s a pretty big storm,” Sigman said. |