Storm weaker than thought
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ALBERT J. MARRO / RUTLAND HERALD |
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By STEPHANIE M. PETERS Herald Staff - Published: January 8, 2009
Central and southern Vermont saw overnight snowfall predictions downgraded Wednesday evening as the storm that first swept into the region early Wednesday failed to pack the predicted punch.
With a storm warning in effect through 5 a.m. today, the National Weather Service called for snow and sleet accumulations of 3 to 6 inches, as well as up to a quarter inch of freezing rain across portions of Rutland, Windsor and Orange Counties.
That forecast left city, state and utility officials describing themselves as having dodged a bullet Wednesday evening.
"It's been a non-event for us thus far," said Christine Rivers, a spokeswoman for Central Vermont Public Service. Rivers said the utility received phone calls of power failures from only a handful of customers Wednesday.
She said CVPS was prepared for an ice threat through about 9 p.m. based upon predictions by its forecasters, but after that point "we should be out of the woods."
Rutland City's road crews were also preparing to head home for the evening by about 6 p.m., according to Dan Maniery, street manager for the Department of Public Works.
Maniery said he expected his staff to salt the roadways once more during the evening, and afterward the department would have a staff member on call during the night. There were no reports of weather-related accidents on the city streets throughout the day, according to a dispatcher for the Rutland City Police Department.
Highway crews saw similar, problem-free conditions throughout the state, according to John Zicconi, spokesman for the Agency of Transportation.
"This storm hasn't turned out to be as problematic as predicted," he said. "It's more of a typical Mother Nature's there and we have to take care of it storm."
The sheet of ice covering the state much of the day did take its toll on activities planned throughout the state, however. Schools throughout Vermont, including Rutland and Washington counties, closed for the day, canceling a full schedule of high school sports events as well. The Vermont Humanities Council also postponed statewide First Wednesday talks; they have been rescheduled for June 3.
Contact Stephanie M. Peters at stephanie.peters@rutlandherald.com.
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