BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Morgan County Sheriff Johnny Walter is crediting the motoring public staying put with good outcomes following Sunday’s winter storm in the area.
“I believe everybody sheltered in place,” Walter said. “We had a quiet weekend”
“I spoke to the DOH this morning and they seem to be faring very well” in their efforts to clear the roads ahead of a dramatic drop in temperatures expected tonight into Tuesday.
Asked about how emergency responders handle incidents in an area that runs from Berkeley Springs to Paw Paw, Sheriff Walter said, “We just hope and we stay in contact with the DOH and if we have to get somewhere, they’ll lead us in with their plows. But thankfully that didn’t happen anywhere that I’m aware of over the weekend.”
“ I think I total we had eight inches or 6 inches in my house before the sleet started and compacted it. I think overall I ended up with maybe 7. And thankfully the ice was on top so it was easy to break through.”
Monday morning, the sheriff drove around parts of the county. “I spoke with DoH. All the main thoroughfares are plowed and treated. The major secondaries – Pious Ridge, Fairview Dr., Winchester Grade, they’ve been plowed and treated as well.”
Sheriff Walter said crews started on the secondary roads around midnight and hoped to have all the roads done by around 7:00 Monday night.
There were two incidents over the weekend, a house fire on Concord Avenue on Sunday which the sheriff categorized as ‘severe.’ Occupants of the home were able to evacuate and the Red Cross was called in to assist.
The second incident was an UTV rollover with entrapment on private property.
Morgan County Schools canceled classes Monday, which helped road crews clean up the roads with fewer motorists out. “Riding around this morning, there’s very few cars on the road. People are still staying home, thankfully,” he said.
