04/18/22 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / A volunteer firefighter directs traffic away from Sugar Run Road and Oak Avenue, which were closed because of vehicle accidents caused by the snow. GPS units and phone applications were directing drivers that way because of the closing of Route 22 on Monday afternoon.
Area residents said they’re tired of the cold, nasty wintry weather as snow blanketed the region Monday, more than two weeks into April.
“I always look forward to warmer weather,” said Bob Briggs of Altoona. “It’s what I live for. I want to ride my motorcycle and go golfing and go to the lake a couple times this year.”
Seven-year-old Max Wentz just wants to play outside again.
“I want to ride my bike,” Wentz of Altoona said. “I’m sick of the snow. I want to go to Brain Freezer’s and DelGrosso’s again. I want warm weather; I like it warm.”
Joe McCreary of Altoona said he’d rather be down South.
“If I didn’t have to live here, I’d be living in Florida,” McCreary said. “I just want to swim and drink and go to Raystown Lake. The warm weather was here, but it was just teasing us. All of a sudden, we have this snow crap.”
Jack Zerby of Hollidaysburg said that with snow comes safety issues, which he hopes will be behind us for the season soon.
“My word, I am very sick of it,” Zerby said. “I worry about that salt being off the roads and pile-ups on I-99. It’s bad. Don’t go anywhere if you don’t have to.”
Zerby added that he’s excited for the birds and flowers to come out.
Altoona Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Hileman also urged people not to go out unless necessary, as accidents have been reported around the city, causing temporary closures of Frankstown Road and parts of routes 22 and 36, among others.
The Altoona area, though, has been mostly safe, Hileman said.
“In the city, it’s been quiet with accidents, so we haven’t had too many, and what helps is there’s no school, so we don’t have that same traffic out there,” Hileman said. “That’s helping, and travel is not too bad in the city as all main roads have been plowed at least once. The notice beforehand with this storm helped save us from more hazards and what could have been.”
Hileman said residents can go to 511pa.com to check road conditions.
Mirror Staff Writer Andrew Mollenauer is at 814-946-7428.