Storm dumps foot of snow on region, power restored to Ashland, Girardville, remains out in several areas
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The snowy scene in Shenandoah in the early morning hours on Feb. 13, 2024.
SHENANDOAH – Over a foot of snow fell overnight Tuesday in parts of our area, thousands are without power across the county this evening, and warming shelters have been set up for those impacted.
The National Weather Service at State College says exactly a foot of snow fell in Ringtown and near Summit Station, while the NWS at Binghamton says 13.4 inches fell in Hazleton.
Though, the high snow totals weren’t the issue, it was what that snow brought down.
Most roads were clear by midday, including Shenandoah borough side streets, and any travel restrictions implemented by PennDOT were rescinded.
The snow, however, collected on tree branches and utility lines, causing power outages across the region and briefly knocking out 911 service.
While the Shenandoah area was spared any prolonged outages, the Ashland, Girardville, and Gordon areas were out much of the day.
As of 9:30pm, PPL Electric Utilities says power has been restored to Girardville, Ashland, and most of Fountain Springs, while Gordon, part of Lavelle, and rural areas nearby remain out.
578 customers in the Gordon area and along Turnpike Road and Malones Road are still out, as are 397 in the Lavelle area
PPL estimates Gordon will have power restored by 11pm Wednesday, and Lavelle by 3pm Thursday.
Spotty outages have been reported across the Ringtown Valley near Zion Grove, Brandonville, and Ringtown as well. Restoration times are generally by 3pm Thursday there.
Thousands more remain out of power across Schuylkill County, including 2,447 in New Philadelphia, Middleport, Kaska, and Cumbola, along with 878 in the Tuscarora, Brockton, and Mary D areas.
About 2,000 are out in the Pottsville area, 566 in the Sacramento area, and nearly 2,000 in the Pine Grove area.
Most of West Penn Township is out of power as well, and the township has declared a state of emergency.
Warming shelters have been set up in various parts of the county for those impacted.
They are as follows:
TREMONT: Tremont Fire Co., 21 Middlecreek Road, 570-695-3915
HEGINS VALLEY: Hegins Area Ambulance, 352 Gap Street, Valley View, 570-682-3598
WEST PENN TWP.: West Penn Fire Co., 21 Municipal Road, 570-386-8866
ORWIN: 323 Dietrich Ave., 717-647-9383
MIDDLEPORT: 29 Washington Street, 570-277-0193
SACRAMENTO: 2206 E. Main Street, 570-682-3177
MOUNT CARBON: American Hose Co. Mount Carbon Station, 123 Main Street
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