White Christmas causes some issues

Though snowfall helped create an ideal Christmas, not to mention the first white Christmas since 1997, it didn’t come without a bit of calamity.

The OA responded to four vehicle accidents between Friday evening and Saturday as of press time, two of which occurred on or near Interstate 20 and the other two on Highway 191. A total of five people were transported for medical treatment, but authorities said none were in serious or life-threatening condition.

Attempts to discover how many vehicle accidents occurred between Friday evening and Saturday evening were deferred to Cpl. Sherrie Carruth, who could not be contacted until Tuesday.

The National Weather Service in Midland reported that as of noon Saturday, 3.8 inches of snow had fallen on the ground. Chances for snow on Christmas are unlikely, an NWS meteorologist said.

“After 6 a.m. (Sunday) chances will really decrease to less than 10 percent,” NWS Meteorologist Intern Michelle Schuldt said. “Saturday’s night time low is 27, so the snow should stay around, but Sunday’s high will be 39-41, so the snow will start to melt away later in the day.”

A Texas Department of Safety trooper was involved in a one vehicle rollover accident due to the road conditions, Trooper John Barton said.

Trooper Kerry Bore of the Odessa DPS office was transported to Medical Center Hospital as a precaution after his vehicle rolled over while eastbound and exiting onto Grandview Avenue from Interstate 20.

“It was because of the weather. Slick spots like that on off ramps and entrance ramps are a lot worse because you’re reducing your speed while changing directions,” Barton said.

At the Midland International Airport snowy conditions caused some morning flight delays and also prompted airlines to de-ice some aircrafts and the runway.

“Any aircrafts that stayed here overnight, I know airlines had to de-ice those,” Midland International Airport Operations Supervisor Matthew Robb said. “After things warmed up during the day, we’ve been at full operation. We’re continually monitoring the surface.”

Local churches cancelled numerous Christmas Eve services due to snowy weather as well.

According to CBS 7, Latter Rain Worship Center, St. Andrew Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Mid-Cities Community Church, Bethany Christian Church, Highland United Methodist Church and Central Baptist Church, all of Odessa, cancelled evening services.

@OAcrime