Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 16, 1994 TAG: 9402160109
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The state Department of Emergency Services said damage estimates were slow coming in, but it was already clear the icy weather will cost millions of dollars.
In the Lynchburg area, officials have tentatively estimated the cost of repairing buildings, restoring utilities and clearing roads at more than $11 million. About $3.5 million in damage occurred at a Kmart where a roof section caved in.
Officials in Caroline County, which also took a beating from the storm, had a preliminary damage estimate of $1.2 million to $2 million. The estimate does not include money lost by local businesses.
The Department of Emergency Services had hoped to receive damage figures from localities by noon Tuesday, but officials now expect information to come in later this week, possibly by Thursday, said spokesman Mike LaCivita.
The figures will be compiled and submitted to Gov. George Allen to determine whether federal disaster assistance can be obtained.
George Foresman, director of the operations division for the Department of Emergency Services, said Tuesday that it was too early to tell whether Virginia would be eligible for federal disaster aid.
"It's not clear-cut one way or the other," he said.
Most of the state's cost will be borne by the Department of Transportation, Foresman said.
Utility workers who have been battling ice, sleet, wind and rain got help from warmer weather Tuesday. "It's a good day for a lot of customers," said Virginia Power spokesman Bill Byrd.
Officials from the state's power companies said about 39,000 customers remained without electricity Tuesday. More than a quarter-million customers were without power during the storm.
Appalachian Power Co. said 23,118 customers, most in Pulaski, Bland, Giles, Grayson, Floyd, Carroll and Montgomery counties, remained without power Tuesday.
by CNB