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2016-12-30 / Front Page
Snowstorm pummels Twin State Valley
By CAMERON PAQUETTE
cameronp@eagletimes.com
Claremont resident Doug Gagne uses a snow blower to clear the driveway at his Severance Street home on Thursday, Dec. 29 during the year's first significant snowstorm. — CAMERON PAQUETTE
Claremont resident Doug Gagne uses a snow blower to clear the driveway at his Severance Street home on Thursday, Dec. 29 during the year's first significant snowstorm. — CAMERON PAQUETTE
The Twin State Valley was hit with a thick blanket of snow Thursday as the region experienced its first significant snowstorm of the season.
The nor’easter is projected to be the most powerful in the region in nearly two years. It's slated to last through Friday, with much of the harshest weather coming in the evening and overnight.
Heavy wet snow caused slippery conditions, particularly on Interstate 91. Troopers in the Vermont State Police Westminster Barracks were spread thin dealing with accidents into the early evening.
“We’ve had several cars off the road. We’re extremely busy tonight,” a VSP dispatcher said at about 5 p.m. Thursday night, Dec. 29.
Two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision near I-91 Exit 7 in Springfield early in the afternoon. According to Springfield Police Corporal Walt Morancy, who was supervising the scene after the accident, it appeared that the driver of a white Volkswagen getting off the southbound exit onto Charlestown Road may have failed to slow down for the stop sign and collided with a blue Saab heading toward Springfield.
A post on the Springfield Police Department Facebook page said the accident occurred with “minimal injury.”
“If this is the big one then I’ll be happy,” Morancy said.
Hillside Auto employees prepare to tow away two cars involved in a head-on collision in Springfield due to slippery conditions Thursday, Dec. 29. — CAMERON PAQUETTE
Hillside Auto employees prepare to tow away two cars involved in a head-on collision in Springfield due to slippery conditions Thursday, Dec. 29. — CAMERON PAQUETTE
On the other side of the river, Newport had no significant incidents to report yesterday evening.
“It’s pretty smooth so far. Hope it stays that way,” said Newport Police Sgt. Patrick Zullo at about 4 p.m.
Claremont Police Capt. Mark Chase said things were quiet in the city as well. Aside from two tractor tailer trucks that got stuck, he said there was nothing significant to report as of 7 p.m.
In New Hampshire, officials urged people not to drive after 6 p.m. Safety officials said 80 cars had crashed or gone off the road in the state since Thursday morning but that no serious injuries had been reported as of the late afternoon. Most of the crashes occurred in central New Hampshire.
Although there were no power outages in either Vermont or New Hampshire as of 6 p.m., Eversource prepared for what was expected to be worsening conditions into the night.
"We are monitoring the electric system and have secured additional out-of-state contractors and lineworkers to address any outages that may occur," said Joe Purington, vice president of Electrical Operations in New Hampshire in a statement.
Ski areas, meanwhile, cheered the dump of snow. Mount Snow in Vermont said it has received more snow so far this year than it did in all of last season. Loon Mountain in New Hampshire has 51 trails open compared to just 17 at this time last winter.
On New Hampshire's Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, officials say there is "considerable danger" of an avalanche due to the storm.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report
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