Winter Storm Leaves Behind Messy Commute, Power Outages
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The weekend winter storm that swept across the Delaware Valley moved out, but left behind an icy, slushy, wet mess, causing a slow, hazardous commute and also left homes and businesses without power Sunday morning.
More than seven inches of snow fell in Lehigh County, more than six in parts of the Philadelphia suburbs and five inches in the city itself. The snow was followed by rain and freezing rain overnight, all making for some dangerous traveling conditions.
The slick roads were to blame for a number of accidents across the region and icy sidewalks made for treacherous walking conditions in many areas. Drivers were being cautioned to take it easy on bridges and ramps. There were speed restrictions of 25MPH in place on all DRPA bridges.
The storm prompted a number of flights cancellations and delays at Philadelphia International Airport. Commuters are being urged to check their flight status through the airport's website or by calling 1-800-PHL-GATE.
Mass transit was also a victim of the weather. SEPTA suspended service on several bus routes because of the icy conditions. The Norristown High Speed Line was also experiencing delays because of equipment issues.
Many who stayed indoors were left without power. PECO was reporting numerous outages. Thousands of homes and businesses were in the dark throughout the region, including many in Philadelphia and Montgomery County. Anyone who experiences a power outage is asked to report it to PECO at 1-800-841-4141.
