Civil Emergency: PA Closes Interstates
A Civil Emergency Message was just issued for the state of Pennsylvania. I was watching TV at the time, so when I heard it, I naturally tuned in, as these types of messages are extremely rare. Due to "treacherous conditions", the Emergency Management Agency has decided to close portions of the major interstates in the state, including I-80, I-81 and I-78.
Civil Emergency statements, which can only be broadcast by State and Federal authorities, are not available on the Internet, and the voice message is not being repeated, so unfortunately I cannot give you more details at this time. This site lists closures as of 5 PM which may be the same statement. Turn your television to your local EMA channel, or visit the PEMA site, PennDOT site, or Google News later tonight for additional information.
A motorist, left, takes a bottle of water from Frank Gergar, center, and Tracy Cook, right, with the Steel City Volunteer Fire Company, along Interstate 78 in Bethel, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007. National Guard vehicles loaded with food, water, baby supplies and fuel delivered help to hundreds of motorists stranded on Interstate 78 Wednesday night and Thursday morning while crews tried to clear up a 50-mile backup on the icy, hilly highway. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
This comes on the heels of hundreds of motorists being stranded for nearly 24 hours on I-78. This site describes the same situation on I-81 with a PennDOT statement, which is quoted below. Up to 100 tractor trailers and an unstated number of other vehicles were "incapacitated" (ABC). Earlier today, Governor Rendell declared a Disaster Emergency statewide.
Our Breaking Weather News Page (PREMIUM | PRO) says the following about the incident:
Report a Typo
