| By Bob Weaver
2 p.m. Tuesday - Calhoun County and the region has been struck by a severe ice storm that has downed tens of thousands of trees. The storm swept across the region Saturday night, cutting off power and telephone service.
Schools and many businesses are closed, but gasoline is available in Grantsville, by generator at Baker's Mart and possibly Cha-Tis's.
The West Virginia DOH reports thousands of trees across Calhoun's nearly 600 miles of rural roads, although the main highways Rt. 16 and 5 have been cleared, except for additional trees falling across the right-of-way.
Liberty Hill on US 33-119 has been closed several times, with trees trapping the volunteers who had been doing the clearing.
All of the county's fire departments and emergency services have been on duty since Saturday night. Calhoun's 911 numbers have not been available, but currently can be reached by calling 304-354-7006.
Calhoun EMS reports few accidents since the five-vehicle collision last week, although they have been able to make medical runs on roads that have been covered by nearly two-inches of ice.
In the Village of Hur, trees were falling down in earshot about 25 a minute by Sunday evening. Additional snow Monday night caused more trees to fall Tuesday morning. Electric and phone poles are down.
Firemen, DOH workers and community volunteers have cut hundreds and hundreds of trees to allow for one-lane passage.
Water caused some roads to be blocked Sunday night, but most streams have returned to their banks. The compressed snow currently on the ground, up to 6" is water filled and could be the source of major flooding if there is a rapid meltdown.
Calhoun 911 said there have been few major emergencies, although communication is poor. The Grantsville area has power and phone services, but nearly all other sections do not have electric or phone. It could be several days.
Calhoun 911 said "Neighbors are helping one another."
This winter storm may well be the worst such storm to hit the region in memory.
EDITORS NOTE: The Hur Herald executive office is without power and phone service. It could be days. Keep checking.
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