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Winter weather expected in McDowell

By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: December 17, 2009

Those dreaming of a white Christmas just might get their wish a bit early this year. A winter storm warning for McDowell is in effect this morning through Saturday afternoon.
Authorities have been preparing for the worst, monitoring conditions and calling in truck drivers to work overtime keeping the roads clear. Thursday afternoon, DOT trucks could be seen around the county, spreading the mixture of sodium chloride and water to protect motorists from frozen surfaces.
The National Weather Service predicted a 100 percent chance of snow today, a 90 percent chance of snow tonight and a 50 percent chance of snow on Saturday.
A slight chance of mixed rain and snow Sunday will provide little comfort, as the next several days are dominated by very cold temperatures.
Terry Young, director of the McDowell Emergency Management Agency, said his office had met with other authorities, including law enforcement, fire departments, EMS officials and school personnel to co-ordinate efforts.
"We have been in contact with the Red Cross in case we need to open a shelter," Young stated. "We have moved a Red Cross disaster response trailer to our facility in Old Fort."
Most agencies will have extra staff on duty, he added.
Those extra hands just might be needed. Young said state authorities had predicted wind gusts up to 30 mph on Saturday, which can be very damaging if there is significant accumulation of snow or ice.
A storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico was expected to bring lots of moisture into the continental U.S. and collide with a cold air mass over the mid-Atlantic states. Heavy snow, sleet and freezing temperatures were expected in a band from Charlotte as far north as Washington D.C. and into the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia.
The precipitation was expected to start out as rain in the McDowell area, but could change over to snow as the day goes on. The storm will move north and east, but snow showers may linger in the mountains through Monday, according to WSPA-Spartanburg meteorologist Dan Bickford.
It's an informal tradition to swarm the grocery stores when snow is predicted, and Thursday was no exception. Wayne Epperson, manager at Food Lion in Marion, said the flow of customers had been normal at mid-day Thursday, although a cashier said those customers had been buying more staple items than normal in her observation.
"We have had a few calls for sleds," said Epperson. No matter how the weather develops he added, the store will remain open regular hours.
"We'll be here and we'll be ready to serve you with plenty of eggs and milk and bread and all the necessities."
Large crowds were observed by The McDowell News at J's Discount and at Bi-Lo. A Bi-Lo spokesman said he was "not allowed" to comment.
Eugene Pittman, manager of the ABC store, said business usually picks up there when the weather is predicted to turn bad.
"If it starts getting slick we close down," he said. "And we'll wait to open the next day until the roads are cleared. We don't want anyone getting hurt."