Blizzard flies in, no school Dec. 9

Heritage, Williams Schools remain closed Dec. 9

WILLIAMS - The first major snowstorm of the season blew in to Williams and much of northern Arizona on Sunday. The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning that extended through Tuesday morning with the agency reporting between 16 and 25 inches of snow accumulation.

Due to the severity of the storm, school officials in Williams cancelled school for Wedensday (Dec. 9).

The Williams and Flagstaff campuses of Coconino Community College closed at noon on Monday. Both the Williams Unified School District (WUSD), Heritage Elementary School and Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) opted to hold classes Monday although students were released from school in Flagstaff by mid-day. Northern Arizona University also opted to close by mid-day, impacting final exams currently in process.

On Monday, Northern Arizona agencies including Coconino County, city of Flagstaff, ADOT, DPS, the National Weather service and Flagstaff Medical Center met via conference call to coordinate information and resources. County offices were partially closed Monday with employees sent home on a staggered basis to keep traffic impacts to a minimum.

A portion of Lake Mary Road (FH-3) was closed at the north entrance of Mormon Lake to the south entrance. No other roads were reported closed.

Crews throughout the region worked to plow roads on a greatest impact basis with main roads and arterials plowed first.

WUSD and FUSD both cancelled classes on Tuesday. Interstate 40 was closed until 10 a.m.

Community Development officials are reminding citizens to take precautions to prevent residential and commercial building roof collapse. They recommend shoveling snow off flat roofs to prevent ice accumulation, keeping roof drains and overflows clear for snow melt and keeping fuel burning appliances clear of snow to allow for proper ventilation.

More snow is forecast in the area beginning tomorrow and lasting through Monday. Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light snow showers in the afternoon above 6,000 feet. Rain and snow showers are forecast to continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday.