Blizzard shuts schools, city offices, buses

An estimated foot of snow fell as night fell in East Lansing./Photo by Christina Strong

By Christina Strong
Entirely East Lansing staff writer

The severe weather warning for Michigan by the National Weather Service is closing schools and the Michigan Legislature and forcing the people of East Lansing indoors. The storm is blanketing several counties in southern Michigan.

According to the Weather Service, the storm means:

• Hazardous travel
• Poor visibility because of blowing snow
• Winds near 40 mph
• 8-12 inches of snow

The Weather Service is urging people to have winter survival kits in their cars. The kits should include jumper cables, flashlights and clothing.

All over East Lansing, residents and businesses are preparing for the storm.

Businesses such as Goodrich’s Shop-Rite, 940 Trowbridge Road, whose normal closing time is 10 p.m., closed an hour early because of expected severe weather conditions.

All East Lansing Public Schools, Lansing Community College and Michigan State University classes will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 2.

Kent Cassella of University Relations at MSU said, “Based on the snowstorm — and the storm is pretty unique because of the amount of snow we are supposed to get — we made the determination to suspend all classes. Therefore, there will only be a small amount of people on MSU’s campus tomorrow.”

MSU is asking that only essential employees report to work on Feb. 2. MSU will also suspend all Spartan Service CATA buses on campus all day Feb. 2, leaving hundreds of students without transportation.

Michigan State junior Lauren Spain said, “I know with the big snowstorm or whatever, I can see why they are canceling the buses, but it can be like a huge inconvenience to students or people around who have to get to work on campus.”

Many City Services Closed

City of East Lansing facilities and offices, including East Lansing City Hall, the East Lansing 54-B District Court, the Hannah Community Center, the East Lansing Public Library and other locations will also be closed for the storm.

Police, paramedics and firefighters will be available to assist the public. Major streets in East Lansing will be plowed first, according to the City of East Lansing’s website.

The Website asks that community members refrain from parking on streets to provide snow-plow operators with area to maneuver. The city is also advising people not to drive.  Trash will not be collected Wednesday, but service will resume on Thursday, Feb. 3.

Less-severe weather is expected toward the weekend.