Snow causes slick roads, numerous crashes
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Lawn tractors on display at Lowe’s in South Strabane Township are covered with snow on the second day of spring.
Spring Snow Showers
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
When clearing driveways and sidewalks, try pushing the snow rather than lifting it or lifting lighter loads more often rather than heavier loads.
Danny Twardy shovels out his driveway on Irwin Avenue in Houston on Wednesday.
Numerous crashes and stuck vehicles were reported Wednesday morning as winter refused to release its grip on the area.
Edward Ritzer/For the Observer-Reporter
Edward Ritzer/For the Observer-Reporter
Route 40 is closed in the area of Valley View Road in North Bethlehem Township after a crash involving a tractor-trailer and a box truck Wednesday.
The amount of snowfall varied through Washington and Greene counties at daybreak Wednesday, said Thom Green, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Through about 7 a.m., Charleroi saw the most snow, with about seven inches, Green said. Just over five inches reportedly fell in McDonald, about four inches in McMurray and three inches in Cecil Township.
Green said the snow would be exiting the area by Wednesday night, and the next chance of snow is Saturday and Saturday night.
And that might not be the last of the snow for the season. Green said this area averages about an inch-and-a-half of snow in April.
Washington County 911 reported at least a dozen crashes early Wednesday, mostly fender-benders, and numerous stuck vehicles across the county. A 911 spokeswoman said the calls started coming in about 7:30 a.m., when snowfall became heavier.
Route 40 was closed for some time in the area of Valley View Road in North Bethlehem Township after a crash involving a tractor-trailer and a box truck.
Route 18 in Chartiers Township was closed after a three-vehicle crash. Police said a tanker truck was hit head-on by one vehicle and then overturned, landing on another vehicle. No injuries were reported. Ron Sicchitano, deputy director of Washington County Department of Public Safety, said the county’s hazardous materials team responded because crankcase oil was leaking from the truck. The tanker was carrying drilling shavings.
Most school districts in Washington and Greene counties canceled classes Wednesday.
The speed limit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was reduced to 45 mph on the entire east-west mainline from Ohio to New Jersey, as well as on the entire Northeastern Extension.
Photo courtesy of Donald Gable
Courtesy of Donald Gable
Route 18 in Chartiers Township is closed after a tanker truck overturned.