March 11
FLOOD WATCH
FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. A STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO FORM ALONG THE CAROLINA COAST FRIDAY...THEN MOVE UP ALONG THE EASTERN SEABOARD SATURDAY. THE STORM WILL SPREAD RAIN INTO THE AREA...BEGINNING DURING THE DAY
FRIDAY AND LASTING THROUGH MOST OF THE WEEKEND. THE HEAVIEST RAINS ARE EXPECTED TO FALL FROM AROUND MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THE DAY SATURDAY. WIDESPREAD AMOUNTS OF 2 INCHES OR MORE ARE EXPECTED BEFORE THE STORM WINDS DOWN LATER IN THE WEEKEND. THE COMBINATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN AND SNOW MELT WILL CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING ON REGIONAL RIVERS AND STREAMS. WITH THE AMOUNT OF RAIN EXPECTED...AND SOME AREAS STILL HAVING CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS OF HIGH WATER CONTENT SNOW ON THE GROUND...THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS FLOODING SITUATION DEVELOPING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. PERSONS NEAR FLOOD PRONE AREAS SHOULD KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON LATER FORECASTS...STATEMENTS AND CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS
February 26
MORE SNOW MORE ROADS CLOSED
HOLLIDAYSBURG With high winds creating blowing and drifting snow, area roadways are drifting closed. PennDOT is advising motorists to avoid travel in these areas and other areas that are prone to drifting.
The following roadways are closed:
Blair County
- Route 3001, Knob Road/Diamond Lane from the intersection of Left Hand Gap Road in Greenfield Township to the intersection of Route 164, Johnstown Road in Juniata Township.
- Route 3003, Knob Road/Puzzletown Road is closed from the intersection of Knob Road in Greenfield Township to the intersection of Route 164, Johnstown Road in Juniata Township.
-Route 3010, Poplar Run Road is closed from the intersections of Route 164, Johnstown Road in Juniata Township.
PENNDOT says the roads will remain closed until the winds die down.
February 19
NEW GUESTBOOK
The Freedom Township Vol Fire Co. has launched a new and improved guestbook that is "spam" free. Our webmaster has been looking for a fix with the old guestbook that was flooded with "spam" for weeks. After no fix could be made he decided to launch a new and improved guestbook.
February 17
GUESTBOOK OFFLINE
The Freedom Township Vol Fire Co. guestbook has recived large amounts of spam in our guestbook and due to the content of the posts our webmast has decided to close the guestbook untill a fix coud be done or a new guestbook is built. We would like to apologize for anyone who may have been offended or any inconvenience this has caused Thank you F.T.V.F.C.
February 10
SNOW CLOSES AREA ROADS
Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell on Wednesday closed several interstates due to blizzard conditions causing impassible road conditions, his office said. Governor Rendell closed interstates I-76, 476, 176, 676, 83, and 78, and part of Interstate 81 and is expected to close additional roads as conditions deteriorate. Interstate 81 is closed from the Maryland line to Interstate 80. Additionally, PA 581 has been closed in both directions. With the hazardous weather conditions in much of the state, the Governor said that it’s too dangerous for any motorist to be driving. “For your safety, do not drive,” Governor Rendell said. “You will risk your life and, potentially, the lives of others if you get stuck on highways or any road. The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for several counties in the State and visibility is at or near zero. The Governor said that PennDOT crews are continuing to treat roadways to keep them passable for emergency crews only. The agency will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear. PennDOT has announced the following roads are closed: Blue Knob - Route 3001 (Knob Road/Diamond Lane) Route 3002 (Ski Gap Road) and Route 3010 (Poplar Run Road) all near the Blue Knob Ski Resort, are closed because of heavy blowing and drifting snow. Route 3001 (Knob Road/Diamond Lane) is closed from the intersection of Left Hand Gap in Greenfield Township to the intersection of Route 164 (Johnstown Road) in Juniata Township. Route 3002 (Ski Gap Road) is closed from the intersection of Route 3001 (Knob Road) to the intersection of Church Street in Greenfield Township. Route 3010 (Poplar Run Road) is closed from the intersection of Route 164 (Johnstown Road) in Juniata Township to the intersection of Puzzletown Road in Freedom Township. Route 1015 (Quarry Road/Gold Course Road) and Route 1017 (Silver Barn Road) in Tyrone Township, Blair County are closed because of blowing and drifting snow. Route 1015 (Quarry Road/ Golf Course Road) is closed from the intersection of Route 1013 (Kettle Road) to the intersection of Hileman Road in Tyrone Township. Route 1017 (Silver Barn Road) is closed at both intersections of Burket Road in Tyrone Township, Blair County. Motorists are advised to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary. Both eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Clearfield County remain closed between exit 111 at Penfield and exit 120 at Clearfield. The closure is due to a crash involving multiple vehicles. Eastbound motorists are being detoured from I-80 at the 111 exit. The detour follows Route 153 south to Route 322 east to Route 879 east and back to I-80 eastbound at the 120 interchange. PennDOT does not expect to re-open the road until after 8 p.m. today. State Route 322 eastbound from Philipsburg to Port Matilda has reopened, according to state police at Philipsburg.
February 9
**UPDATE** WINTER STORM WARNING **UPDATE**
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST WEDNESDAY. A STRENGTHENING AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL LIFT INTO THE OHIO VALLEY THIS MORNING. EARLY WEDNESDAY A SECONDARY AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP NEAR THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST AND SLOWLY LIFT NORTH ALONG THE NEW JERSEY COAST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS AND WESTERN SECTIONS OF PENNSYLVANIA THIS MORNING AND INCREASE IN INTENSITY AND COVERAGE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT PERIOD. SNOW MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES OVERNIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY BEFORE TAPERING TO
FLURRIES LATE IN THE DAY. TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO AVERAGE BETWEEN 8 AND 12 INCHES.
February 8
SNOW STORM OF 2010
February 8
ADOPT A FIRE HYDRANT
Due to record snowfall already received and yet another snow storm on the way the Freedom Township Fire Company is asking for assistance from all residents to adopt the closest fire hydrant to their home or business. In order to ensure the most prompt and efficient emergency response it is imperative that all residents that are physically able "Adopt a Hydrant." As the snow accumulates along the sides of the streets fire hydrants are being buried and are unidentifiable. If the fire trucks cannot see your fire hydrant, this could lead to valuable time being lost in the event of a fire when every second counts. we need your help to keep up with these extreme snow conditions. We would like to thank you in advance for helping to protect your community
February 8
**CANCELED** WINTER STORM WATCH **CANCELED**
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING. LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE ACROSS THE OHIO VALLEY ON TUESDAY. SPREADING SNOW INTO WEST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BY EARLY AFTERNOON. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TUESDAY NIGHT AND INTO WEDNESDAY. EARLY INDICATIONS SUGGEST 5 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE FROM THIS STORM. A SECONDARY AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL RAPIDLY DEVELOP ALONG THE MID ATLANTIC COAST BY EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING...PRODUCING INCREASING NORTHWEST WINDS AND AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
February 7
FIREMAN'S BANQUET
On February 6, 2010, the Freedom Township Volunteer Fire Company held its Annual Awards Banquet. The night was filled with a dinner, awards and dancing. The following members were awarded accordingly:
Fire Person of the Year
Paige James and Hailee James
Firefighter Of The Year
Scott Caldwell
Comedy Awards
Grave Digger (for getting tanker stuck in a yard on a tanker asst call) - Scott Caldwell
Matchbox Cars (for running over traffic cones)- Ron Henry
Heifer Rescue Tech (for volunteering to help round up cows)- Chip Eckhard, Nate Caldwell, Brian Caldwell, Scott Caldwell, Brian Stapleton, Craig Amick, and Ron Henry
The Officers and members would like to thank all our guests who came out to our celebration and the Blue Knob Fire Company for serving our meal and Bringing Squad 86-41 to stand by and cover our calls for us.
February 4
**UPDATE** WINTER STORM WARNING **UPDATE**
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM FRIDAY TO 6 PM EST
SATURDAY. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM FRIDAY TO 6 PM EST SATURDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. A STORM SYSTEM DEVELOPING OVER THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO THIS AFTERNOON WILL TRACK NORTHEAST TO THE OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA BY LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...BEFORE MOVING OUT OVER THE
ATLANTIC OCEAN SATURDAY. SNOW WILL MOVE INTO THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS DURING THE LATE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS FRIDAY...OVERSPREADING THE REMAINDER OF THE
REGION BY NIGHTFALL. SNOW IS THEN EXPECTED TO BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY OVER THE AREA SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80 FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. THE SNOW WILL TAPER TO SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS OVER MOST LOCATIONS BY MID DAY SATURDAY. SNOWFALL TOTALS BY THE TIME THE STORM WINDS DOWN SATURDAY ARE EXPECTED TO AVERAGE IN THE 7 TO 10 INCH RANGE IN AREAS SUCH AS JOHNSTOWN...ALTOONA AND LEWISTOWN. AMOUNTS WILL BE HIGHER ACROSS FAR SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA...POSSIBLY EXCEEDING A FOOT OVER THE AREA FROM BEDFORD TO CHAMBERSBURG EAST TO COVER MUCH OF THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY. AMOUNTS COULD APPROACH TWO FEET NEAR THE MARYLAND BORDER IN FRANKLIN...ADAMS...LANCASTER AND YORK COUNTIES. THE EXACT TRACK OF THE STORM IS STILL UNCERTAIN. A SLIGHT JOG TO THE NORTH WOULD PUSH HEAVY SNOW FURTHER NORTH INTO THE STATE...PERHAPS CLOSER TO INTERSTATE 80.
February 4
WE HAVE A BUG?
It has been brought to our webmasters attention that our guestbook has been reciving "spam" posts. Due to the content of some of the "spam posts" the Members and Officers of the Freedom Township Vol. Fire Co. would like to apologize for anyone who may have been offended or any inconvenience this has caused. This issue is being worked on we hope to have the problem taken care of soon or a new "spam" free guestbook for our guests to sign. Our guestbook is still open for our guests to sign.
February 4
**CANCELED** WINTER STORM WATCH **CANCELED**
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPING OVER THE NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO THIS MORNING...WILL TRACK NORTHEAST TO THE OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA BY LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. SNOW WILL LIKELY BEGIN DURING THE MID TO LATE AFTERNOON HOURS ACROSS THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS AND REMAINDER OF SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. THE SNOW COULD FALL HEAVY AT TIMES FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING...BEFORE BECOMING LIGHTER AND MORE INTERMITTENT SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A SNOWFALL OF 7 TO 10 INCHES ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AND THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY. THE BULK OF THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO FALL WITHIN A 18 HOUR PERIOD FROM EARLY FRIDAY EVENING...THROUGH NOON SATURDAY. AT THE PRESENT TIME...IT APPEARS THAT THE HEAVIEST SNOW AMOUNTS WILL OCCUR NEAR...AND TO THE SOUTH OF THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. THE EXACT TRACK OF THIS LOW PRESSURE AREA IS STILL UNCERTAIN.
THERE WILL BE A SHARP...NORTH TO SOUTH GRADIENT IN SNOW AMOUNTS BETWEEN ROUTE 22 AND AREAS FURTHER TO THE NORTH...SO A MINOR CHANGE IN THE STORM TRACK OF JUST 50 MILES TO THE NORTH OR SOUTH COULD MEAN A GREAT DIFFERENCE IN THE SNOW ACCUMULATION ACROSS THE
AREA.
January 25
FLOOD WARNING
UNTIL 1215 PM EST. AT 218 AM EST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN IS FALLING OVER THE WARNING AREA. THE RAINFALL WILL BE HEAVY ENOUGH TO PRODUCE FLOODING LATER THIS MORNING. SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE ALTOONA...BRADFORD...BEDFORD...CLEARFIELD...JOHNSTOWN...SOMERSET AND ST. MARYS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. FLOOD WATERS ARE USUALLY DEEPER THAN THEY APPEAR. JUST ONE
FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED ROADS MAKE THE SMART CHOICE...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN
January 25
WIND ADVISORY
WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EST MONDAY. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EST MONDAY. A COLD FRONT WILL SLICE ACROSS THE AREA FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. THE FRONT WILL MIX VERY STRONG WINDS ALOFT TO NEAR THE GROUND...GENERATING STRONG AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WIND GUSTS OVER THE SOUTHERN HALF OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA OVERNIGHT INTO MONDAY MORNING. WINDS MAY GUST IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH AS THE FRONT PASSES...WITH SOUTHERLY WINDS SHIFTING SHARPLY TO THE WEST BEHIND THE FRONT. IN ADDITION...VERY HEAVY RAINFALL AND EVEN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL ACCOMPANY THE FRONT AS IT PUSHES THROUGH THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA RIVER VALLEY.
January 24
FLOOD WATCH
FLOODING POSSIBLE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY. STRONG SOUTHERLY FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO DRAW DEEP MOISTURE NORTHWARD INTO CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA TONIGHT. RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO OVERSPREAD THE REGION THIS EVENING...BECOMING HEAVY AT TIMES TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY MONDAY. THE WARM...MOIST AIR MASS SURGING INTO THE AREA AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT WILL CAUSE RESIDUAL SNOW AND ICE TO MELT...CONTRIBUTING TO RUNOFF FROM HEAVY
RAINFALL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING AND ICE JAMS. SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS MUCH OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY MONDAY...WITH LOCALIZED STORM TOTALS EXCEEDING 2 INCHES IN SOME LOCATIONS. THE HEAVY RAINFALL MAY RESULT IN FLOODING OF SMALLER STREAMS AND CREEKS...ALONG WITH SOME OF THE FASTER RESPONDING TRIBUTARIES OF THE LARGER RIVERS
January 21
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EST FRIDAY. A STORM WILL PASS TO THE SOUTH OF PENNSYLVANIA TONIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY. THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE PRECIPITATION FROM THIS STORM WILL PUSH INTO SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA TONIGHT AND LAST THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. A MIX OF SNOW AND SLEET IS EXPECTED TO BE THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF PRECIPITATION...WITH AREAS OF FREEZING RAIN ALSO EXPECTED TO FORM. THE SNOW AND SLEET TOTALS BY NOON FRIDAY WILL GENERALLY BE BETWEEN 2 AND 3 INCHES SOUTH OF A LINE FROM EBENSBURG TO ALTOONA
TO HUNTINGDON...AND AS FAR EAST AS CHAMBERSBURG. AS MUCH AS 4
INCHES OF ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED ALONG THE MARYLAND BORDER. A
THIN COATING OF ICE FROM FREEZING RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE OVER THE
REGION. THE HEAVIEST OF THE PRECIPITATION WILL FALL DURING THE 3 TO 4
HOURS TO EITHER SIDE OF SUNRISE FRIDAY MORNING. THIS WILL IMPACT
THE MORNING COMMUTES TO WORK AND SCHOOL FOR MANY PEOPLE.
January 16
NEW YORK FIREHOUSE LOSES EVERYTHING IN FIRE
ASHLAND, NY -- On Sunday morning January 11th, Ashland firefighters we toned out for a call all firefighters
dread, one to their own station. Initial reports were that the station was fully involved. Equipment was
brought from around the county to fight the blaze, including Windham, Hensonville, Hunter, Jewett and
Prattsville. By the end of the day the only thing left standing was a shell of a building that once contained
both the town offices and the firehouse. The Ashland fire deparment lost everything in the fire, rigs, gear
and a month old brand new ambulance. If anyone would like to assist by donating equipment you may contact
John Ferrell (Greene countys director of emergency services) through email JFerrell@discovergreene.com
or through his office 518-622-3643 his hours are 9-5. Lets help our brothers and sisters in need!
Click a link below to see photos of the fire
Station, Rigs,Pumper, and Ambulance
News article and photos COURTESY of pumpfire.com
