At approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, Raleigh County Sheriff's Office dispatched officers out for a reported structure fire. The structure fire was reported on the 300 block of Market Road in Beckley.

Multiple emergency services responded and cleared the scene including: Beckley Police Department, Bradley Volunteer Fire Department, Beaver Volunteer Fire Department, Coal City Volunteer Fire Department, Mabscott Volunteer Fire Department, Mt. Hope Volunteer Fire Department, Pax Volunteer Fire Department, and Jancare EMS.

No injuries were reported, and the scene was cleared by emergency services dispatched. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.

The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) has more than 1,000 trucks with plows across the state that can also spread salt. In order for the trucks to be on the roads 24 hours a day, the trucks have drivers for both a 12-hour day shift, and a 12-hour night shift.

As always, we are prepared for any snowfall event. We attack each storm with the same level of importance of having every available truck on the road.

Joe Pack | P.E. WVDOH Chief Engineer of District Operations

To keep the roadways as clear and safe as possible, snowplow drivers with the WVDOH will be on the roads, and will be clearing the roads as long as snow is falling. According to Pack, for wintry mix weather events the WVDOH uses salt mixed with a higher amount of stone.

As the abrasives are applied at a higher rate on the roadway, it does not allow the ice sheet to form a solid. It forms around that small rock and as the traffic drives over it, it cracks. The cracking allows the salt solution to penetrate the ice, melting it from underneath.

Joe Pack | P.E. WVDOH Chief Engineer of District Operations

The WVDOH has a supply of over 231,000 tons of salt across the state, and typically, a snowplow can hold 12 tons of salt. This amount of salt can treat approximately 100 lane miles of road, which equals around 25 miles of four-lane or 50 miles of two-lane roads.

During winter weather events, drivers are reminded to be careful, slow down around snowplows, not to pass the truck, and to give the snowplow drivers space on the roads.

Which car tools are best for driving in the snow?

If the snow starts falling and all you can think about is how you will get to work, chances are that question can lead to some anxiety and tension. It’s worse if you aren’t used to driving in the snow and ice, whether you’re new to an area or it’s one of those rare winter storms. You don’t have to feel anxious driving on snowy or icy roads if you’re properly prepared. It doesn’t take much to be prepared for winter road conditions, either. All you need to stay safe is a handful of winter driving tools kept in your trunk or inside your home.

In this article: Cartman Jumper Cables, SubZero Ice Scraper and WawaAuto Tire Traction Mats

Top 10 tools for cars 

The list of items you could keep on hand to be prepared for a car emergency or bad weather during the winter months is practically endless, but some of the best to have are:

• Jumper cables: Hopefully you already have a pair of these as they’re one of a few basic car-related emergency preparedness items everyone should have. It’s extra-important to have them in the winter months, as cold winter weather can quickly and easily sap an otherwise healthy battery all the way to dead.
• Jump starter: Jumper cables have one major downside: You need the help, and the battery, of a good Samaritan to give you the boost. Jump starters have no such downside as they’re just a big, powerful portable battery. They have alternate downsides, though, such as you having to regularly ensure that it’s charged and ready, the fact that the cold can also sap it and that they’re much more expensive than a basic pair of cables.
• Snow broom and ice scraper: One of the easiest ways to get stuck is to drive right into heavy snow because you couldn’t see out of your car. Both of these tools are wise to keep on hand, even though you may only need one. For example, snow brushes are used to remove the build-up of snow on top of your car so it can’t suddenly slide forward while you drive, blocking your windshield. Ice scrapers are used to scrape off any ice that may have accumulated on your windshield, windows and mirrors. You can also find combination snow brush and ice scrapers, though these can sometimes be a little unwieldy.
• Snow chains: If you’re new to the land of ice and snow, then you’re probably not familiar with tire chains. These get wrapped around your tires to give them more traction on slippery roads. Some are easier than others to install, so you should practice getting them off and on before you really need them. You also need to make sure they actually fit your winter tires.
• Tire traction mat: Sometimes when you get stuck, you’re just in a bit of a jam, rather than in a dangerous situation. Usually, these little jams are because you’re struggling to gain traction. If that’s the situation, and you don’t have or can’t put on tire chains, having a traction mat to slip under your wheels can easily give you the boost you need to get back on the road.
• Shovel: If your situation is slightly more dire, you may need to move some snow out of the way. You could do it with your hands, which is miserable, or you could have a small shovel on hand to help you out.
• Rock salt: If it’s not snow you’re trying to move but ice, the best method of attack is to melt that ice. Rock salt is the most natural way to do it and also the fastest.
• Snowmelt: However, rock salt only works if you’re in snowy weather conditions no colder than 5 degrees. If the temperature drops even more, you’ll need chemical snowmelt. This can work in freezing temperatures of -15 to -25, depending on the formula.
• Tow strap: If you’re caught in terrible driving conditions and your car goes careening off the road into a snow-packed ditch, you’re going to need two things to get out: towing gear and a powerful vehicle. The vehicle you can’t prepare for, but the towing gear you can. There are several kinds, but straps are generally best for basic car retrieval.

Winter driving tools to avoid getting stuck in the snow

Cartman Jumper Cables

These cables have ridged teeth on the clamps to help keep them in place, even on smooth surfaces. They come in three lengths and five gauges.

Sold by Amazon

Noco Jump Starter

This starter can jump up to 40 times on a single charge and can be used successfully on gasoline engines of up to 9 liters and diesel engines of up to 7 liters. 

Sold by Amazon

Snow Joe Snow Brush

This brush has LED lights built into the head so you can clearly see what you’re doing, even in the darkest parking lot. It also has a telescoping pole for lengths of 33 to 52 inches.

Sold by Amazon

SubZero Ice Scraper

This scraper is larger than most at 10 inches long, with a 4-inch-wide blade. This lets you clear more faster, so you can get to work on time even if you start clearing late.

Sold by Amazon

Security Chain Tire Chains

Options are the name of the game for these chains, as there are 17 that can be attached to the wheels of passenger cars, pickup trucks and SUVs.

Sold by Amazon

WawaAuto Tire Traction Mats

These mats (two included) fold in three places to make it easier to keep them in your car and to give you a chance to adjust to unlevel terrain. 

Sold by Amazon

Cartman Shovel

This shovel has three length settings to adjust for your needs: 23, 26 and 32.5 inches. It comes in three colors and can be bought alone or in a set that includes an ice scraper and a storage bag.

Sold by Amazon

North American Salt Rock Salt

This 50-pound bag of pure salt is enough to melt several patches of ice, though you might have trouble lifting and pouring it. Using your shovel to scoop and spread could help, though.

Sold by Amazon

Snow Joe Snowmelt

This snowmelt is non-damaging to plant life and is safe for use around homes with pets. It comes in 25- and 50-pound bags, a 10-pound jug, a 30- and 60-pound box and a 25-pound bucket.

Sold by Amazon

Rhino USA Tow Strap

This tow strap comes in six sizes with widths of 2, 3 or 4 inches and lengths of 8, 10, 20 and 30 feet. It has a break strength of 31,518 pounds.

Sold by Amazon

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Officials with the West Virginia Parkways Authority report more than 1,375,777 transactions occurred during the 13-day holiday travel period from Thursday, December 21, 2023 through Tuesday, January 2, 2024. This was 45,777 more transactions than the pre-holiday estimate of 1.33 million transactions.

The estimate for each day was exceeded except for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. The busiest travel day was Friday, December 22 with 145,870 transactions while the lightest travel day was Christmas Eve with 54,838 transactions. Additional travelers were anticipated by The Parkways Authority due to the possibility people were traveling for WVU's Duke Mayo Bowl.

“Ultimately, we are very pleased with how our staff handled the large influx of traffic and we were very well prepared. Our estimates were right in line with historical information that was reviewed prior to going into the holiday break.”

Jeff Miller, Executive Director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority

Jeff Miller reminded WV residents that the E-Z Pass is the easiest and most affordable way to travel West Virginia's Turnpike. For more information on how to obtain an E-Z Pass, visit The Parkways Authority's website.

Car crashes and fatalities due to speeding drivers, impaired drivers, aggressive drivers, and other acts of careless driving, such as not wearing a seatbelt, are often seen in West Virginia.

According to the Mercer County Sheriff's Office, there are more than 1200 car crashes reported in Mercer County on average each year, and fatal crash reports from 2017-2021 show that Mercer County is ranked seventh in the state for fatal crashes, totaling 58 deaths during those years. Out of the 58 deaths, 48% were reportedly not wearing seat belts.

In an attempt to lessen the number of crashes, a proactive traffic enforcement program will be enforced by the Mercer County Sheriff's Department, where they will work with the WV Coalfields Highway Safety Program, along with the WV Governor's Highway Safety Program funded overtime patrols, to choose a deputy that will focus on full time traffic enforcement.

Deputy N.J. Mason was chosen to be the one for this law enforcement position, as he is also a Drug Recognition Expert and will be able to recognize and arrest any drug impaired drivers.

The Mercer County Sheriff's Office will also be enforcing multiple other traffic laws as well as the traffic enforcement program.

A two car accident was reported in Beckley on the 600th block of New River Drive. Injuries were reported, however, the extent of the injuries was not released. According to WV 511, New River Drive remains open.

Anyone driving is asked to remain cautious when travelling through the area.

The Beckley Police Department, Beckley Fire Department, and a JanCare ambulance responded to the scene.

Stick with 59News for more information as it becomes available.

"It's been a while since we have been able to do that and … it's definitely scary, you know, definitely got to make sure the tires are good," driver Lorenzo Brown Jr. told Nexstar's KELO after South Dakota was hit by some winter weather earlier this week.

Even for the most seasoned winter driver, it is important to take extra precautions when roads are snowy and icy.

"So I see it quite often, people jackrabbit start from the stoplights — you got to quit that. Nice, easy acceleration. Let your car warm up just so you're comfortable and can think without freezing while you're driving," Airway Auto Service owner Tom Broadbent explained when asked about driving in winter weather.

While many people learned to pump their brakes when stopping on ice, many new cars have an anti-locking brake system, which means you just have to hold down your foot on the pedal.

"New cars have anti-lock brake systems," Broadbent said. "So they're watching the vehicles' speed on the wheels. So the system watches each wheel independently. So as a tire starts to skid, when you step on the brakes, it'll actually pull the fluid away and let that tire roll to keep the car under control."

Broadbent says it's beneficial to have winter tires with these conditions.

"They are a godsend when you have them in icy conditions because they're made to grip that ice. A lot of them have some sort of assistance set up, whether it be graphite or walnut shell or something that actually bites the ice," Broadbent said.

When navigating these icy roads, safety comes first and foremost.

"You need to slow down. You need to heed to the warnings that the highway patrol puts out, sheriff's department, if they're advising no travel, don't travel. It's that simple. So if you have to go, be really, really cautious," Broadbent said.

Broadbent recommends traveling slower than the posted speed limit, too. And you'll want to leave plenty of space between you and the other vehicles on the road. If you do find yourself sliding on ice, AAA recommends taking your foot off of the gas and turning your steering wheel gently in the same direction. Then, once back on the pavement, you can gently use your brakes.

Ghent Fire Department, Raleigh County Sheriff's Office, and Jan Care EMS came to the scene.

One person was transported to the hospital for injuries. The extent of their injuries are unknown at this time.

Continue to follow 59News for more information on this story.

With an anticipated surge in traffic, the risk of accidents escalates, prompting the West Virginia State Police to take additional measures to ensure the well-being of all road users. The West Virginia State Police is committed to keeping our roads safe and will have extra troopers on patrol throughout the state.

"We want everyone to enjoy a happy and safe holiday season. Please take your time behind the wheel, avoid distractions, and never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking."

Colonel J.C. Chambers, Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police

To promote safe holiday driving, the West Virginia State Police recommends the following tips:

• Buckle Up: Always wear your seat belt, and ensure that all passengers are securely buckled up as well.
• Obey Speed Limits: Adhere to the speed limit, and slow down in adverse weather conditions to enhance road safety.
• Avoid Distractions: Steer clear of distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, or eating while driving to maintain focus on the road.
• Stay Sober: Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, prioritizing the safety of yourself and others.
• Plan Ahead: Allow extra time for travel to avoid feeling rushed, contributing to a more relaxed and safe driving experience.

By following these simple yet crucial guidelines, West Virginians can contribute to safer roads and ensure a joyful and accident-free holiday season.

The differences between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive can be confusing. According to Edmunds, here are some things to know about the differences between all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD).

AWD can help give a car all-weather traction all the time, and 4WD is a bit better for off-road terrain. While there are some similarities between the two, they do have their differences.

All-wheel drive

All-wheel drive power the front and back tires all the time, however there are different drivetrains in AWD. Full-time AWD will drive all wheels constantly, and part-time AWD, sometimes called automatic AWD, usually focuses on front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive depending on the way the car's drive system is made. For part-time AWD cars, all four tires will get power when extra traction control is necessary.

Full-time and part-time AWD works without work from the driver, however there are some options where the driver can choose certain modes that give them some control of the amount of power and where it goes.

For full-time AWD, the front and rear axles are driven all the time. On dry roads, this allows for better handling, and with snowy, icy, or muddy roads it helps with traction for safer handling. In cars that have part-time AWD, depending on the type of car you have torque will be sent to either the front or rear wheels, and the other two wheels will engage automatically when extra traction is needed. Many current AWD systems use sensors that send information to a computer that proceeds to control the amount of power that is sent to each wheel.

Although there are advantages to having an AWD car, it does not mean that there are not any disadvantages. AWD cars tend to have higher prices due to needing more hardware and computing power. In addition to that, they are often heavier and can affect fuel economy by around one to three miles per gallon. All-wheel drive also works well in weather such as snow and rain, however it cannot handle slippery, rough, and uneven terrain as well as four-wheel drive can.

For many people, the benefits are better than the downsides for AWD, including not having to consciously change the system because the wheels are driven full-time and can send power where needed if a loss of traction occurs. AWD is also available in various types of cars which leaves people with many choices to pick from.

Four-wheel drive

Four-wheel drive is what comes to mind for many people, and even though it is often associated with trucks and off-road use, there is a wider range of cars that have 4WD. 4WD can have maximum traction under many different conditions.

Traction is maximized in 4WD systems, similar to AWD, as well as having full-time and part-time systems. However the difference between them is that 4WD tends to handle rougher terrain than AWD.

Full-time 4WD works similar to full-time AWD, as all wheels get constant power. Some 4WD have the option for drivers to control how power is sent to the front and rear axles. Part-time 4WD is more often associated with cars such as trucks and SUVs that are meant to be driven in extreme conditions.

For these types of cars, their default is usually rear-wheel drive and the driver will need to manually switch to 4WD. These manual options allow the drivers to select settings where the rear wheels can constantly get power, or even lock both the front and rear wheels to where it is very difficult to get stuck unless all four tires loose traction.

Much like AWD, 4WD has its pros and cons. 4WD is very useful in rough terrain conditions, however they can be stiffer than two-wheel drive cars, as well as have high purchase prices and bad effects on fuel economy.

Both AWD and 4WD are good for driving in snow and have an advantage in snowy and icy weather, but any car can loose traction given the right conditions and handling. While the front and rear wheels can help with traction, winter tires are especially helpful in winter weather.

Combined with winter tires, AWD are able to act faster than drivers depending on the situation, but 4WD can handle deep snow and severe weather conditions better than AWD. Whether one is better than the other or not, for both to work at their best the car needs to also have winter tires.

Between AWD and 4WD what works best is up to what weather conditions you deal with and where you live. AWD leaves a wide variety of cars to choose from, as well as not needing the driver to manually switch to 4WD. 4WD can be the better option for people that deal with extreme weather or off-road adventures, want higher ground clearance, and gives people the choice of where they want power delivered to the front or rear tires.