Storm spurs numerous accidents
City receives about 12 inches of snowfall in 24-hour period
Jerry Hagen plows the driveway of his Grant Street home in Gallitzin with the help of his granddaughter, Kylee Patterson, 8, on Thursday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Michael Bradshaw clears snow from around his car Thursday along North Sixth Street. Bradshaw said, “We got a little spoiled by the lack of snow last winter, so I’ve got to get back into the swing of shoveling first thing.” Mirror photo by Ike Fredregill
Baker Mansion in Altoona proved again to be a popular sledding spot on Thursday afternoon, as families had fun in the new-fallen snow. Mirror photo by Ike Fredregill
Tom Bilko gives his son, Mason, a push down the hill at Baker Mansion on Thursday. Bilko said he took half the day off work to spend time with his family, enjoying the winter weather. Mirror photo by Ike Fredregill
Mason Bilko, 6, rushes up the snow-covered hill at Baker Mansion on Thursday, joining more than a dozen kids and their families enjoying some post-storm sledding. Mirror photo by Ike Fredregill
Jerry Hagen plows the driveway of his Grant Street home in Gallitzin with the help of his granddaughter, Kylee Patterson, 8, on Thursday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Michael Bradshaw clears snow from around his car Thursday along North Sixth Street. Bradshaw said, “We got a little spoiled by the lack of snow last winter, so I’ve got to get back into the swing of shoveling first thing.” Mirror photo by Ike Fredregill
Baker Mansion in Altoona proved again to be a popular sledding spot on Thursday afternoon, as families had fun in the new-fallen snow. Mirror photo by Ike Fredregill
Tom Bilko gives his son, Mason, a push down the hill at Baker Mansion on Thursday. Bilko said he took half the day off work to spend time with his family, enjoying the winter weather. Mirror photo by Ike Fredregill
Mason Bilko, 6, rushes up the snow-covered hill at Baker Mansion on Thursday, joining more than a dozen kids and their families enjoying some post-storm sledding. Mirror photo by Ike Fredregill
Trending
Drivers kept the Altoona Police Department busy during the storm Wednesday, but it was a quiet night for the Altoona Fire Department and surrounding townships.
Altoona police spokesman Sgt. Matt Plummer said police responded to 18 motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, but no injuries were reported.
"Heavy snowfall always makes travel difficult in Altoona due to the hills, turns and narrow streets throughout the city," Plummer said in a digital message. "Credit is due to the Altoona Public Works Department, which worked around the clock to keep our roadways safe and clear, despite being understaffed because of the pandemic."
As winter gets underway, he encouraged motorists to stay home during winter storms when travel is not necessary.
First responders and road crews plowed through about a foot of snow to serve Blair County residents, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said. And while some flurries might dust the area in the next few days, Dombek said another storm isn't in the next few days' forecast.
"Pretty much, this storm was a one-and-done for the next several days," he said.
Unlike the bomb cyclones of yesteryear, Dombek said this storm didn't have any special labels and was caused by typical winter weather patterns.
"It was just an old-fashioned snowstorm," he said.
Temperatures reached a low of 22 degrees around Altoona during the storm, with a high of 27 degrees, which falls well within the area's average temperatures for December, Dombek said.
According to National Weather Service records, a foot of snow hasn't fallen on Altoona within a 24-hour timeframe in December since 1992, when the area set a December record for snowfall in 24 hours with about 15 inches falling on Dec. 10, 1992, NWS Meteorologist Amanda Wagner said.
Despite the number of accidents around the city, Altoona Fire Department Chief Tim Hileman said it was a routine night for firefighters.
The department only responded to three calls Wednesday, none of which were weather-related.
"While this was a heavier snowfall than we've seen in a while, our guys were prepared for it," Hileman said. "But, there wasn't really too much going on -- thank goodness."
Neither the Duncansville Borough Police Department, nor the Pennsylvania State Police responded to requests for data regarding weather-related law enforcement efforts.
Hollidaysburg Borough police responded to three accidents, with no injuries.
Both the Tyrone and Allegheny Township police departments reported they didn't receive any calls for storm-related accidents.
Logan Township Police Department Police Chief David Reese said his officers responded to three accidents during the storm, but no injuries were reported.
"There were a lot of people stuck in snow drifts," Reese said. "Stay home if you can. But if you decide to travel, wait until the roads are cleared."
Mirror Staff Writer Ike Fredregill is at 814-946-7458.