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Cumberland News Notes

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CUMBERLAND -- As with most of the region, the big talk around the Cumberland area over the past week was the snow event on Feb. 5-6. A wet heavy snow combined with periods of freezing rain made for an almost perfect winter storm. Many people said that for a while there were some of the biggest snowflakes they'd ever seen. To quote a couple of people, "It was like cotton balls falling from the sky."

The wet snow with a coating ice from the freezing rain to hold it in place made for some pretty scenery along the roadsides and in fields (especially along Route 83 between the Cumberland corporation sign and the entrance to Cumberland Limestone) while at the same time turning the roadways themselves into ice rinks and slush-fests Route 83 comes to mind again).

It didn't take long for the trees and power lines to be weighed down with the snow to start sagging and breaking.

The randomness of the tree and line breaks made the navigation of roads and walkways all the more difficult as well as causing a cascade of hit or miss power outages across the region a few houses at a time.

Houses soon cooled and residents without power found out that there wasn't much they could do, beside report the outage and go to bed.

Reporting the outage wasn't always that easy. Some had to wait over an hour on hold hearing that same message over and over again trying to report the outage to the AEP call center.

The call center that handles the calls from this area also receives calls from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area. All of these regions were being pummeled by the storm the same or worse than southeastern Ohio.

As the storm finished up on Feb. 6, the temperatures dropped and snow started to blow around and drift. The wind and the cold temperatures were the sources of many pops, bangs and thuds from snow sliding off the roofs during the overnight hours. When the snow starts to recede, residents will be checking for cracks in foundations, bulged planters, sprung spouting and loose shingles.

It doesn't look like there will be a chance to do any inspections soon. As this is being written, a second major storm within a week is dumping more wintry precipitation on the area. A new wave of cancellations can be heard from time to time on the local radio. From the sound of the forecast, another day or so of being under a level 3 road conditions will almost be a given.

Mother Nature can provide us with some of the most beautiful and amazing sites because she's got the best brushes and the biggest canvas. However lest we forget and be distracted by her majesty, she still packs a dangerously powerful punch and usually is ready to strike out with multiple blows.

Area events and reminders

All events listed below are weather permitting. It is a good idea to call ahead to see if the events are taking place. Also listen to the local radio station to find out the snow emergency level.

Remember level three means only emergency workers and those providing vital services are supposed to be on the roads. Many events such as church meetings, school activities and club meetings are automatically canceled when the level reaches two or higher.

Feb. 16-21 -- The recycling trailer at the Township Building on Mill Street. (Note that weather conditions could alter the schedule for the trailer.)

March 15 -- This is the final date to make a donation to the Ark Spring Cemetery Association in memory of loved ones. Send the name(s) of the loved ones to be listed in the newsletter along with your donation, name and address to Ark Spring Cemetery Association, c/o Elizabeth Ann Davis, 3005 Palmer Drive, Chandlersville, OH 43727.