Blizzard 2013: The Big Dig Continues In Derby

Derby had at least one lane of traffic opened on all its roads Monday, but Public Works Director Ron Culmo wasn’t looking for any trophies.

We’re doing the best we can,” he said.

Said” doesn’t capture the sound of Culmo’s voice. Growled” would be more like it.

Culmo and his crew haven’t slept much since Friday, when the Blizzard of 2013 showed up to slap the Valley around. Culmo sounds sick as a dog — and exhausted.

When I don’t sleep like this, anytime like this I always get sick,” he said.

Culmo said, without hesitation, this is the worst snowstorm he’s seen.

As of 2:30 p.m. Monday, heavily traveled Derby roads such as lower Olivia and Elizabeth Street had been cleared — but it would be a stretch to say the roads are in good shape. The Irving and St. Mary-St. Michael schools were passable but Derby schools are closed again Tuesday — and rightfully so.

The effort was still underway Monday to clear snow from the high school and the middle school.

Photo: Eugene DriscollIn addition to its regular fleet of snow removal trucks and equipment, Derby brought in five payloaders and seven tri-axle trucks.

Getting onto main roads such as Route 34 on the west side of Derby was a harrowing experience Monday. Mounds of snow eliminated the line of site. Throw in a moderately dense fog, no road shoulders because of the snow and people inches from the roadway shoveling snow — and you have one miserable driving experience.

On older, already narrow roads such as Hawkins Street, thick patches of dirt-stained ice rumbled under car tires as if they were pot holes. Sidewalks were buried, so people had to walk in the road.

But in the grand scheme of life, the Blizzard of 2013 could have been much, much worse, Derby Police Chief Gerald Narowski pointed out in an e‑mail Sunday night.

The chief said Derby was preparing for the worst and had stockpiled food and water in the event of a major disaster.

Our first priority in this city is life safety. Your OEMS, Fire, EMS, Police, Public Works, and local government have been working around the clock to keep your city safe. It could have been much worse if we lost utilities, primarily heat and power,” Narowski said. 

The police chief said it will probably be awhile before roads are completely cleared. And, after the chief sent his e‑mail, the National Weather Service issued an alert saying there is a 60 percent chance of snow between 10 a.m. Wednesday and 3 a.m. Thursday.

Based on prior experience we have several days if not weeks of clean up,” he said.

Here’s a shot of Olivia Street in Derby Monday, looking up toward Cottage Street.

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