The first snow storm of the season dumped record amounts of snow on the Berks County region over this past weekend.
The National Weather Service put Berks County on a blizzard warning until Saturday night.
An estimated more than two feet of snow fell on the region. Allentown, Lehigh Valley International Airport, http://w1.weather.gov/obhistory/KABE.html, measured 31 inches. Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network, http://www.cocorahs.org/, measured 23 inches in Hamburg.
Carl Hess in Hamburg estimates at least a foot has fallen so far but says it’s difficult to say just how much considering the snow drifts.
Mike Regensburger in Auburn reports 17.5 inches.
Sen. Judy Schwank posted on Facebook, “Just finished shoveling off the deck and porches. The snow may be dry but it’s heavy because there is so much. Don’t wait too long to clear your doors. It’s tough to lift now and will be even more difficult later. This storm will be one for the record books!”
Crews have been out plowing.One snow plow over turned early Saturday morning on Route 662 in Oley Township, according to Berks Fire Alert Facebook.
For some, the snow has not kept them from working.
Adams & Bright Drugs LLCS in Hamburg made it into work today, they reported on Facebook with photos of a snow covered Hamburg.
“It’s a winter wonderland! Be careful and only venture out if absolutely necessary! (We walked)” Adams & Bright posted on Facebook.
Pennsylvania declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm as did local municipalities. Snow emergencies were issued before the storm and have been in effect for Kutztown Borough and Hamburg Borough as well as many others.
Ahead of the storm, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has urged people to stay home and off the roads.