Snow leaves East in despair

A snow storm swept the East Coast this week, leaving many inches of snow and ice that resulted in at least 50 deaths.

"The weather was blamed for seven deaths in North Carolina, six in South Carolina, five each in Iowa and Missouri, four in Ohio, three each in Nebraska, Virginia, Minnesota and Maryland, two each in Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma, and one each in Kansas, New Jersey and West Virginia," according to CNN Web site, www.cnn.com. "Most of the deaths were in traffic accidents."

JMU, as a result of the snowfall and ice, was closed Monday and was opened for limited hours Tuesday.

Fred Hilton, director of media relations, said JMU officials look at a lot of information before determining whether or not to shut down the school.

"We gather information from state police, and our police look at the highways," he said. Normally, school officials make their decision by 5 or 5:30 a.m., he added.

Some students used their time off to do homework and reading.

"I was able to catch up on some school work," sophomore Christy Heib said. "I read a few chapters."

However, because of the snow day, she will have to make up one of her classes at 8 a.m. Saturday.
Other students took advantage of the snowfall and built snowmen or went sledding. Others went to Massanutten Resort.

"I went snowboarding Monday and Tuesday," junior Greg Taylor said. He said the mountain conditions were ideal because of the recent snowfall.

Junior Carrie Pucciarelli said she used the extra time to relax and have fun. "I partied more because I felt like I was on vacation," she said.

Senior Lee Semmes said he was able to do some work and have time for fun. "I did a little bit of work, played video games and hung out with my girlfriend," he said.

For some students, venturing outside their dorms and apartments was a little scary.

A student at Mary Washington College was injured and had to go into surgery after sledding head-first into an oncoming car just after midnight Monday, according to Channel 8 News.

Some students also found driving in the snow and ice difficult.

"I tried driving [Tuesday] morning, and it was bad," junior Elisa Rafter said. She said classes should have been delayed longer Tuesday.

Semmes said, "I didn't have any bad experiences driving, but I know a few people who did."

The Virginia Department of Transportation lists driving tips on its Web site, www.virginiadot.org, including starting off in a low gear, keeping the windows, mirrors and lights free of snow, and not passing a snow plower or salt spreader unless absolutely necessary.

The Naval Safety Center's Web site also gives advice on driving in snow. The Web site, www.safetycenter.navy.mil/safetips, recommended tripling the distance between one's car and the one in front of them, and not to pump the brakes to avoid locking them. Should brakes lock up, it is recommended to remove one's foot from the brake, and if one should begin skidding, to steer in the same direction that the car is moving toward.

The VDOT Web site also regularly updates road conditions, showing the more dangerous areas one should avoid.