Area Prepares for Wet Winter Weather
posted 6:01 am Wed January 16, 2008 - Across the ABC 13 Viewing Area
Brian Pick, Wal-Mart Asst. Mgr. - "Our food department is basically the hardest hit in the entire store."
Milk and bread are usually the first items to go when forecasters call for snow. Stores like Wal-Mart have to plan well in advance.Pick - "We definitely call our vendors and request these extras."
Sleds are already sold out. Shovels, salt and gloves are next in line. Also, lining up -- snow plows.
Paula Jones, VDOT - "Preparing equipment, making sure everything is working well that snow plows are ready that we have the appropriate chemicals in salt and sand."
So far this season, VDOT hasn't used much of their resources. Statewide they have more than 300 tons of salt and nearly 200 tons of sand.
Jones - "This cold air now makes the road temperatures that cold, too. So, it will stick more quickly."
Dennis Reynolds, Street Maintenance Coordinator - "When it hits, it's going to freeze on contact."
A pavement temperature gun comes in handy with Lynchburg Public Works. This lets them know when to treat the roads.
Reynolds - "Salt works well down to like 25 degrees, but then it needs a little help after it gets that low and that's when we'll actually use the liquid calcium on it."
The
Reynolds - "It could become treacherous. Hoping it don't, but we'll be ready. We'll be out there for you."
While crews are doing everything they can, they still expect mishaps.
Jones - "That first snow always brings out the accidents because people just haven't driven in snow for a while."
Crews say if you have to go out on covered roads, drive cautiously. And just because you may have four-wheel drive, it does not make you invincible. So, if you need something at the store, you might want to get it soon.
Latest Comment on Area Prepares for Wet Winter Weather
boss
7:15 am on 01/17/08
i have a four-wheel drive and i do not think that i am able to drive like a want to. but most people do think that because they have allweather tires, chains, or4 wheel drives are safe THEY ARE NOT. i have seen them flip before a car will. what gets me you can be driving along being careful and know that it is slick and then like hear they come doing 65 to 70 miles a hour on the streets and they are the ones who cause wrecks not us careful people. 4 wheel drives or no 4 wheel drives. i have never used my 4 wheel drive and fine that if i take my time i do better. so lets all be careful today and leave early if you have to go somewhere so that you do not go barreling down a street doing 90 and cause a wreck take the extra time and everyone will get to where they are going safe.
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