If you have flat roof, look for warning signs of potential collapse

If you're thinking of climbing up on your roof to shovel the snow off, it's not a good idea, as the additional weight could cause the roof to collapse. The Fairfax County government has put out a bulletin on snow and roof safety, an increasingly important issue, as flat roofs could be in danger of caving in under two feet of snow.

The roof of the Baileys Crossroads fire station partially collapsed early Monday morning, while engineers are assessing the safety of the roof on the Annandale fire station, which was showing signs of instability.

The county urges the owners of homes or commercial buildings with flat roofs to monitor the ceiling below and look for signs of roof distress, such as sagging, cracks, and popping or cracking sounds. If you notice any of these warning signs, evacuate immediately.

If you drive anywhere, bring a shovel

If you are driving a monster SUV, you should be the one who backs up. I'd like to thank the kind person on Murray Lane who helped dig my car out of a snow drift after I stupidly backed up to let a truck pass. These photos were taken Tuesday afternoon. Engineers are assessing the damage to the fire station roof. Columbia Pike is not totally cleared completely and most side streets in Annandale have not been plowed.

Snowstorm paralyzes Annandale side streets

Fire station roof collapses

The roof of the Annandale fire station on Columbia Pike is buckling due to heavy snowfall, and the roof of the Bailey’s Crossroads fire station partially collapsed around 3 a.m. Monday, the local ABC news station (channel 7) reports. The crews of both stations have been relocated to the bingo hall next to the Annandale Fire Department.
Fairfax County fire department spokesperson Dan Schmidt told ABC news 16 firefighters and two paramedics were sleeping in the Bailey’s Crossroads station at the time but all got out unharmed. Three medic units, a ladder truck, a boat, and a fire engine may have been damaged.

Historic storm brings out the best in some people

Send us your "snowcalypse" photos.

Here's a group of neighbors giving new meaning to the term 'shovel-ready.' The Leersnyder family of Broyhill Crest carry on the 'hood's good neighbor tradition by cleaning off cars Sunday.

For those of you trapped in your homes by unplowed streets, how are you coping? What do you regret not buying before the snowstorm? I wish I'd bought batteries for my camera.

Annandale buried in two feet of snow

Here's the view from my front door. Looks like we won't be able to go anywhere for days. Anyone seen any snow plows?

School board votes to restore some funding cuts

The Fairfax County school board has voted Feb. 4 to adopt an “advertised budget” of $2.3 billion for fiscal year 2011 that restores some of the programs proposed for elimination by Superintendent Jack Dale.

The advertised budget would maintain class size at current levels; restore the elementary school foreign language program; save indoor track and freshman sports; and save assistant principal, instructional coach, and instructional assistant positions. It adds funding to implement the school support composite index, which will help FCPS target funds to schools in need—an important priority for schools in the Annandale area.

The ball now is in the Board of Supervisors' court, as restoration of other programs recommended for elimination depends on whether the board will approve the school board’s request for an additional $81.9 million to Fairfax County Public Schools.

Unless state and county is increased, FCPS would eliminate elementary school band and strings, full-day kindergarten, and foreign-language immersion programs and cut class sizes even further, says school board chair Kathy Smith.

The advertised budget includes new fees for high school athletic participation ($100 per student for each sport) and $75 for each Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate test. Salaries would be frozen for all employees for the second year in a row.

Public hearings will be held before the school board will take final action on the budget in May. The school board’s Budget Forum, which was supposed to be held today, has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20, at Marshall High School in Falls Church, 9 a.m.-noon.

Oh no! More snow

With a major blizzard predicted for this weekend, it's time to storm the grocery stores and stock up on milk and toilet paper. It looks like most events scheduled for the weekend will be canceled. Check the Fairfax County or VDOT website for updates on road conditions.

January slow month for home sales

January tends to be slow month for real estate, and this year was no exception. Vivianne Couts of Coldwell Banker reports just 17 single-family homes were sold in January 2010 in Annandale. That compares to 57 home sales in September 2009. “Things are looking up, and it is definitely a seller’s market,” she says.

The average sales price for single-family homes was $504,719 in January, and these homes spent an average of 77 days on the market. Fifty-seven single family homes were for sale, and 76 were under contract.

There were 10 townhouses for sale in January, 34 under contract, and just five sold, Couts adds. The average sales price was $303,558, and the average number of days on market was 25.

Twelve condos were for sale, 67 were under contract, and five sold, for an average price of $126,658, after spending an average of 69 days on the market.

School board candidate forum will be rescheduled

The school board candidate forum scheduled tonight at Bren Mar Park Elementary School has been cancelled due to the last night's snowfall. We'll let you know when it will be rescheduled.