Numerous traffic accidents result from wintry conditions; next storm forecasted for Tuesday
Jan. 7—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A winter storm on Saturday resulted in 24 vehicle accidents and 20 calls about disabled vehicles at various locations in Cambria County, according to county 911 supervisors.
A more severe accident involved a vehicle striking and shearing a gas meter in the 1700 block of Sunshine Avenue in Westmont Borough. There was minimal structural damage, and the gas was secured by Peoples Natural Gas workers. No injuries were reported.
On the 700 block of Locust Street, Adams Township, a vehicle struck a building, resulting in damage mostly to a porch.
State Route 36 in Chest Springs was closed to all traffic on Saturday afternoon due to a vehicle accident. The road was reopened by the evening.
Somerset County reportedly had fewer weather-related issues on Saturday. County 911 supervisors reported one vehicle accident.
Saturday marked the first day of a winter storm warning by the National Weather Service for central Pennsylvania, including Cambria and Somerset counties.
Three to five inches of snow had already fallen across the Laurel Highlands as of 2 p.m. Saturday, and the National Weather Service was then forecasting another three hours of one-inch-per-hour snowfall rates, with lingering lighter snow afterward.
On Sunday, total daytime snow accumulation was less than one inch, and the number of calls to Cambria County 911 was far fewer than on Saturday. There were five calls for disabled vehicles on Sunday and no vehicle accidents, supervisors said at around 5 p.m. Sunday.
Dry and seasonable conditions are likely on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
A second storm is forecasted to impact the area Tuesday into Wednesday, with gusty winds and a wintry mix turning to rain. Flooding is possible due to snow melt and rainfall, the National Weather Service has said.
