Ian Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 It's not really a Fairfax issue though.. I think this is a trend overall. We have become scared of everything and decide the best option is to stay indoors and duct tape the windows every time there's anything other than sunshine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LP08 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I'm on the fence both ways. My wife works for FCPS and is in a very low income area where kids show up without jackets but if they cancel then they are probably missing out on there only hot meal of the day. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowfan Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Whats the biggest cause of house related pipe problems? People leaving the valve to the outdoor bibs open and allowing water to sit in the pipes? First it's us firemen....we had over 25 broken pipes in 24 hrs 2 weeks ago. And that was just in my response area. People expect us to stay and fix the pipes! Haha...nope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattie g Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 It's not really a Fairfax issue though.. I think this is a trend overall. We have become scared of everything and decide the best option is to stay indoors and duct tape the windows every time there's anything other than sunshine. I agree completely. I was addressing the Fairfax piece of it since it's my home county and we had a pretty uniform <7" snowfall. I'm on the fence both ways. My wife works for FCPS and is in a very low income area where kids show up without jackets but if they cancel then they are probably missing out on there only hot meal of the day. It's highly unlikely those kids show up to school without jackets because they don't have them. Let's not make this into a question about cancelling due to cold... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LP08 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 It's not really a Fairfax issue though.. I think this is a trend overall. We have become scared of everything and decide the best option is to stay indoors and duct tape the windows every time there's anything other than sunshine. I agree completely. I was addressing the Fairfax piece of it since it's my home county and we had a pretty uniform <7" snowfall. I'm on the fence both ways. My wife works for FCPS and is in a very low income area where kids show up without jackets but if they cancel then they are probably missing out on there only hot meal of the day. It's highly unlikely those kids show up to school without jackets because they don't have them. Let's not make this into a question about cancelling due to cold... we have coat drives for them in the winter....by no jacket I mean like wearing a warmup jacket when it's 12 degrees. I'm not defending it by any stretch but understand the reasoning because kids walking to school since there parents work 2 jobs can be dangerous in this weather. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACFD FIREMAN Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Whats the biggest cause of house related pipe problems? People leaving the valve to the outdoor bibs open and allowing water to sit in the pipes? That is one of the causes in single family homes. Also it occurs in built-on additions to houses where short cuts were made to plumbing. The majority of busted pipes occur in sprinklered buildings that have parking garages. Theses systems are supposed to be "dry" but often get residual water in them. The other areas are sprinkler pipes in lobbies that are adjacent to cold exposure. When the pipes bursts it activates the fire alarm which is how we are involved. A sprinkler pipe flowing at full capacity can do some massive damage quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2O Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 I agree completely. I was addressing the Fairfax piece of it since it's my home county and we had a pretty uniform <7" snowfall. It's highly unlikely those kids show up to school without jackets because they don't have them. Let's not make this into a question about cancelling due to cold... Not all of Fx Co is as affluent as Burke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheesyPoofs Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I think the article is fine in the message, but I'm not sure I agree with calling out one school system. There are even more egregious examples of closings south of Fairfax County today... Jason seems borderline angry or offended in the article...not sure why he felt the need to attack a particular county and then give us driving tips in the process? CWG should stick to the weather and stay away from opinion pieces on school closings and calling out school officials. Honestly, I never understood the anger that some people have over school closings, especially from people who aren't even affected by them/who aren't even in that county. It's one day in the grand scheme of things -- who cares? I merely posted my thoughts because I was surprised to see them close today, but honestly, I don't really care, lol. Also, comparing us to the upper midwest is lol. Kind of hard to "learn by doing" when we've had one or maybe two legit snowstorms (depending on your definition of "legit") in the past 3 years. Yeah, let's compare a place that averages barely 20" of snowfall and can have some horrifically snowless winters to places that average 50-60." I'm a big CWG fan, so I'm in no way trying to attack them or anything, lol. But that article was questionable at best . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gymengineer Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 It's not really a Fairfax issue though.. I think this is a trend overall. We have become scared of everything and decide the best option is to stay indoors and duct tape the windows every time there's anything other than sunshine. Something weird is going on with the VA school systems that started this winter.... certainly not just Fairfax, but the same thing is not happening in the Maryland schools. It seems inconceivable to me that Stafford County would close 3 days for 3-4", and Prince William County too. It used to be that Fairfax and Montgomery decided the same thing. None of the MD schools closed for cold in the first wave, and none of the MD schools closed today, even though we got more snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacindc Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 That is one of the causes in single family homes. Also it occurs in built-on additions to houses where short cuts were made to plumbing. The majority of busted pipes occur in sprinklered buildings that have parking garages. Theses systems are supposed to be "dry" but often get residual water in them. The other areas are sprinkler pipes in lobbies that are adjacent to cold exposure. When the pipes bursts it activates the fire alarm which is how we are involved. A sprinkler pipe flowing at full capacity can do some massive damage quickly. My dad had the pipe burst for his garage sprinkler system two weeks ago, as did neighbors in his relatively new townhomes on either side. (And he wasn't home, so the fireman busted down the front door to get in.) It actually ended up being a pipe that has a portion outside, under the deck above the garage, with basically no insulation. Thankfully all the damage (other than the front door) was in the garage, and nothing really problematic. Very bad design by the builders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Something weird is going on with the VA school systems that started this winter.... certainly not just Fairfax, but the same thing is not happening in the Maryland schools. It seems inconceivable to me that Stafford County would close 3 days for 3-4", and Prince William County too. It used to be that Fairfax and Montgomery decided the same thing. None of the MD schools closed for cold in the first wave, and none of the MD schools closed today, even though we got more snow. This. When I saw Spotsy closed I was surprised... I knew that they had gotten less snow than us. Though, the county is hilly, so I can only guess that is why they closed. Don't forget, Fairfax County is HUGE. Fairfax uses the one county system -- as in like if there was ice in NW Fairfax and rain in SE Fairfax and the ice is causing problems, they will do a 2 hr delay. Fairfax does not split up into districts, so if NW Fairfax County's side roads were horrendous, schools will close. It has nothing to do with being weak and the such. Its just the way Fairfax is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 BTW, Frederick County (VA) is CLOSED tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gymengineer Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 This. When I saw Spotsy closed I was surprised... I knew that they had gotten less snow than us. Though, the county is hilly, so I can only guess that is why they closed. Don't forget, Fairfax County is HUGE. Fairfax uses the one county system -- as in like if there was ice in NW Fairfax and rain in SE Fairfax and the ice is causing problems, they will do a 2 hr delay. Fairfax does not split up into districts, so if NW Fairfax County's side roads were horrendous, schools will close. It has nothing to do with being weak and the such. Its just the way Fairfax is. Right, but so are all the MD counties-- Montgomery sticks out further west than Fairfax and face the same issue of east vs. west conditions all the time. I'm just curious why it's the VA counties that relaxed the criteria for giving days off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I'm gonna take the 5th probably. CWG is a group.. that's usually where I come from here. These are weird tweets from the main acct: https://twitter.com/capitalweather/status/426412024114196480 It blew up.. maybe let it blow down now lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrinceFrederickWx Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Fairfax county also set the precedence for closing just for cold in the last cold wave--- there's no way that practice can continue. I had delivery people cancel on me today "because of the cold weather"... ridiculous lol Completely unrelated, but since this is the banter thread I'd like to mention I much prefer wet snow to this powdery snow. Its much harder to build a snowman in the snows this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Right, but so are all the MD counties-- Montgomery sticks out further west than Fairfax and face the same issue of east vs. west conditions all the time. I'm just curious why it's the VA counties that relaxed the criteria for giving days off. A good question. Fairfax only has 3 built-in snow days as well... and today is number 6. It almost seems like it is a VA vs MD thing... I think only Calvert/St Mary's closed today in MD. Most of MD had 2 hr delay while most of VA closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheesyPoofs Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I'm gonna take the 5th probably. CWG is a group.. that's usually where I come from here. These are weird tweets from the main acct: https://twitter.com/capitalweather/status/426412024114196480 It blew up.. maybe let it blow down now lol. They should probably just stop before they begin to look even worse."Oh yeah? Prove it then!!!" Really, guys? I'm starting to hope some county official takes them up on the request, provides adequate and logical reaaoning for the closing, and then says "STFU." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCAlexandria Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Pretty sad, petty, and pitiful article by jason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs.J Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 FCPS (MD) opened 2 hrs. late today and what I feel is a good call. I was out yesterday driving. Once you get out of the neighborhoods the Snow Emergency routes were clear. Now with that being said we have a lot of back roads that have not been touched. One thing I found was that it was way easier with a good set of tires to drive on the snow packed roads than the ones somewhat plowed and treated. I only have to think about all the times when I was in school in OH and heck we might as well just took all of winter off, but we got to school. A lot of people forget about using their own common sense when it comes to situations like this. We have relied to much on someone telling us that it is bad out or going to get bad out. Right in FCPS's handbook it states... Families concerned about student safety due to hazardous weather conditions have the right to keep their children home (see page 38). (page 38) Absences considered lawful and therefore excused, as described in the Public School Laws and Code of Bylaws of the Maryland State Board of Education, are: ~ Illness of the student (doctor’s verification may be required) ~ Death in the immediate family ~ Court summons ~ Hazardous weather condition ~ Work or activity accepted by the school authorities ~ Observance of religious holiday ~ State emergency ~ Suspension ~ Lack of authorized transportation ~ Health exclusion ~ Other emergency (judgment of Superintendent or designee) You have the right as a parent to keep your children home if you feel the road conditions are not safe to go out on. I totally understand that MD is a state not used to yearly events such as this weeks storm, but sometimes it is used as an excuse. We live in the largest county in MD and I remember one year when up near the PA border they got 2" of snow while S of 70 was sunny and dry. Our system closed for the day. Counties need to have zones when it comes to weather. FCPS has something like that with feeder schools into the 7 HS's but they do not use it for weather. I grew up with city schools not county and when out in the country where you worry about buses going into deep ditches off the sides of the roads, they would close and rightfully so. The city systems who could clear off did so and we went to school. This argument comes back to head every 3-4 years around here, yet no one has ever done anything to fix it. My husband and I used to joke when we lived in LA that any drop of rain and the city comes to a standstill. Well in MD any flurry of snow anymore and it comes to a standstill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LP08 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Something weird is going on with the VA school systems that started this winter.... certainly not just Fairfax, but the same thing is not happening in the Maryland schools. It seems inconceivable to me that Stafford County would close 3 days for 3-4", and Prince William County too. It used to be that Fairfax and Montgomery decided the same thing. None of the MD schools closed for cold in the first wave, and none of the MD schools closed today, even though we got more snow. This. When I saw Spotsy closed I was surprised... I knew that they had gotten less snow than us. Though, the county is hilly, so I can only guess that is why they closed. Don't forget, Fairfax County is HUGE. Fairfax uses the one county system -- as in like if there was ice in NW Fairfax and rain in SE Fairfax and the ice is causing problems, they will do a 2 hr delay. Fairfax does not split up into districts, so if NW Fairfax County's side roads were horrendous, schools will close. It has nothing to do with being weak and the such. Its just the way Fairfax is. I went to high school in Stafford and my freshman year we have 3 car deaths related to weather during very marginal freezing drizzle events. It only takes one... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattie g Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Not all of Fx Co is as affluent as Burke Or Rose Hill. I'm talking about a jacket here. I grew up in an area that is at least as bad off as any in Fairfax County (I made it to the big time living in Burke now!!!), and kids didn't want for a jacket. They may have wanted for other things, but not for something as staple as a jacket. Believe me...I have perspective. Also, were today's cancellations because of cold or snow? Which discussion is taking place right now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormtracker Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I'm gonna take the 5th probably. CWG is a group.. that's usually where I come from here. These are weird tweets from the main acct: https://twitter.com/capitalweather/status/426412024114196480 It blew up.. maybe let it blow down now lol. I'm kinda laughing...Jason is trolling the trollers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormtracker Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 It's not really a Fairfax issue though.. I think this is a trend overall. We have become scared of everything and decide the best option is to stay indoors and duct tape the windows every time there's anything other than sunshine. He (Jason) probably should have steered clear of the editorializing. Not saying he is right or wrong, but man...what a topic to go off on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowfan Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Anyone have an update on the status of ice on the potomac and the Bay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattie g Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Anyone have an update on the status of ice on the potomac and the Bay? Enough to keep Fairfax County schools closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACFD FIREMAN Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 My dad had the pipe burst for his garage sprinkler system two weeks ago, as did neighbors in his relatively new townhomes on either side. (And he wasn't home, so the fireman busted down the front door to get in.) It actually ended up being a pipe that has a portion outside, under the deck above the garage, with basically no insulation. Thankfully all the damage (other than the front door) was in the garage, and nothing really problematic. Very bad design by the builders. Glad it didn't cause significant damage. The majority of these pipe breaks have been in newer constructed buildings....cheap materials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoast NPZ Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Before anyone gets too excited about next week's potential, we should wait to hear what this guy thinks. He absolutely nailed it Tuesday. http://freebeerandhotwings.com/b/The-Only-Weather-Report-Youll-Ever-Need-Video/-678083624118114420.html I can see a star being born on Accuwx TV.... Edited to add... I think this guy is already forecasting for VA public schools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnis Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I think when it comes to closing schools people should consider how they react when deciding if the call was good or bad. If the call was bad by erring on the side of caution then the reaction should be no more than mild/moderate annoyance and the discussion should be centered on how to improve the process. If the call was bad beacuse proper percautions were not taken in the face of overwhlmimg data/ observations, or the reaction to a chaning situation was slow and unresponsive, then the public should be angry and outraged. We need to hold our schools accountable for the decisions that they make that affect the safety of our children as that is the point of having closures. The last thing I want school officials to do is make the call based on how the public might react. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePhotoGuy Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Anyone have an update on the status of ice on the potomac and the Bay? The Creeks are starting to freeze. The Patapsco River which "feeds" into the bay was slushy near the shoreline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Stafford County closed tomorrow. Midterms cancelled. Teachers to report for teacher workday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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