The winter storm predicted a few days ago was an exercise in preparedness. What was predicted to be a doozy wound up being a disappointment for those hoping to sled and build snowmen last Thursday.
The Summers County Courthouse was closed as a precaution, but Hinton City government offices were open for business. Down the street, lower 5th Avenue was set for barricades and reserved for sledding that, again, did not materialize, and an emergency warming center prepared for power outages proved unnecessary.
911 Director Steve Lipscomb said cots and blankets purchased for emergency warmth and shelter will remain unwrapped but stored and ready for the next time of need, and the worst event of the entire storm here appeared to be limited to a temporary road closure blocking Pipestem traffic to Hinton and Hinton’s commutes to Pipestem, Athens and Princeton.
The relatively brief inconvenience was the result of fallen trees the power company had clear off Route 20. Frigid overnight temperatures over the weekend, black ice and three-dog-nights may have been the worst of winter thus far.
In just over three weeks the March Equinox will herald in spring and for those who have felt locked in for the best part of a year, no doubt everyone is looking forward to the change of season.
