Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Just as Salem and the Roanoke Valley were beginning to recover from the previous weekend’s prolonged winter storm, additional snow and freezing temperatures late Friday and Saturday brought renewed disruptions to schools and kept transportation crews in extended winter operations across the region.
Salem City Schools announced a two-hour delay for Monday, Feb. 2, citing new snow accumulation Saturday night, drifting snow and continued subfreezing temperatures. City officials said streets, school sidewalks and parking lots were generally in good condition, but the delay was intended to avoid the peak morning commute, allow for additional daylight and give the Street Department time to address any overnight issues.
“Warmer temperatures and abundant sunshine over the next few days should allow us to return to a normal schedule soon,” school officials said, thanking families and staff for their patience and flexibility.
Salem City Schools returned to a regular schedule Tuesday, Feb. 3, opening on time for all students. School officials credited cooperation among teachers, students, parents and support staff for helping the division get back on track.
Roanoke County Public Schools also operated on a normal schedule Tuesday after being closed Monday, Feb. 2, due to lingering wintry conditions, particularly on neighborhood roads. The division said VDOT crews had made considerable progress clearing most neighborhood streets, allowing school buses to operate safely. However, officials warned that some roads may still be inaccessible, requiring parents to transport students to the nearest cleared intersection.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Transportation continued weeklong winter operations across the Salem District, even as crews prepared for yet another winter weather system that was expected to impact the region late last week.
VDOT officials said all secondary roads, neighborhoods and subdivisions in the Salem District have been plowed and treated, but many remain covered with packed snow and ice from previous storms. Crews have been using heavy equipment, including motor graders, loaders and dump trucks, to break up lingering snowpack where possible.
Ahead of the storm, drivers were cautioned not to expect bare pavement until warmer temperatures arrive and to use extreme caution if travel is necessary. With prolonged cold temperatures, VDOT said that the new precipitation would adhere to roadways, compounding existing conditions.
Because crews had to shift focus during the active storm, efforts to fully clear lingering icy patches were paused and resumed once conditions allowed. VDOT crews and contractors have continued working around the clock in emergency response mode to improve conditions on all state-maintained roads.
