First Winter Storm of 07

The first winter storm of 07 brought the snowfall forecasters expected but not the dangers and problems that are often associated with it. Within a few hours early Thursday morning, Cherokee County accumulated four inches of the white stuff, according to the experts. The snow virtually crippled the county for the entire day, causing schools and some businesses to close.

Thankfully, emergency officials said there were no weather related injuries. Officials at the National Weather Service in Morristown Tennessee, received reports of four inches of the pretty white stuff in the western parts of Cherokee County. In Murphy, emergency officials reported up to three inches in other places.

Neighboring Clay County received as average of 2-3 inches, with snow as deep as 6 inches deep in places, forecasters had stated. Benton, received 2-3 inches, while 4-5 inches accumulated in Ducktown. Forecasters also said that temperatures are about 10 degrees below average for this time of the year, and more snow could be likely until the system passes.

The director of Cherokee County Dispatch, said it appeared most people did not venture from their homes Thursday. From midnight until 2 p.m., four minor accidents were reported, with no serious injuries. "We had no increase in calls due to the weather," according to forecasters, probably because the snowfall occurred overnight. N. C. Department of Transportation employees revived plenty of warning to prepare for the storm, district engineers stated. Officials were able to apply salt before the storm hit in problem areas such as Topton and Junaluska.

About 452 tons of salt were applied to critical and secondary routes throughout the county, which is normal for this type of snowfall. The salt helped keep the snow slushy for easier plowing, and all roads were clear by Friday. The Murphy Power Board also was fully prepared for the storm, but there were no problems or power outages reported.

Cherokee Schools were closed Thursday and operated on a delayed schedule Friday. The Superintendent said the snow day will be made up on Monday, April 23, which had previously been scheduled as an optional teacher workday. If there s another inclement weather day, it will be made up on March 2. Parents can find out about school closings by calling. Tri-County Community College was also closed. The board of trustees meeting scheduled for that evening has been rescheduled for another day. According to the Cherokee Scout

Business was slow in town all day. The town offices were open at 8 a.m., an maintenance crews were ready to go at 6 a.m. Barely a half of dozen customers visited the town offices Thursday morning. That was unusual for the first day of the month, when many residents come in to pay bills. Cherokee offices operated on a two-hour delay. County Manager advised employees in all departments to come in if they could, but not to jeopardize their safety, administrative assistant to the county had said. Business suffered due to the weather. Several area banks opened late and closed early.