W.Va. gov urges roof checks, new storm approaches February 09, 2010 10:26 AM
CHARLESTON, W.Va.
As parts of West Virginia brace for more snow, Gov. Joe Manchin is urging communities to carefully inspect the roofs of schools and other public buildings.
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Jimmy Gianato said Tuesday that state education officials are working with engineers, architects and others to identify at-risk buildings and to take steps to ensure they are safe.
More than 40 counties are under winter storm warnings through Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Forecasters are calling for up to 2 additional feet of snow in parts of the Eastern Panhandle that already have 3 feet on the ground.
Gianato said officials are trying to avoid a repeat of the winter of 1998 when roof cave-ins were blamed for at least three deaths.
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