U. closed, Phila. frozen

City, state forced to shut down In response to icy conditions and power shutdowns, Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey declared a state of emergency for the state yesterday and asked businesses to close early and remain closed today. All school districts in the state were urged to do the same, according to State Spokesman John Taylor. And municipal governments were requested to retain only "skeletal staffs and personnel." Casey asked all state residents to turn their thermostats down to 65 degrees yesterday to help preserve energy, which is being used up at record rates. Electricity power has dropped in buildings and houses all across Philadelphia in a series of what Philadelphia Electric Company spokesperson David Hackney calls "brownouts" and "rolling blackouts." Hackney said electricity shutdowns are in response to the unusually bitter weather that has plagued the city since Sunday. To fight the chill from outside, Philadelphians have increased the heat in their homes and businesses by more than one third the amount normally used on a winter's day, Hackney explained. PECO first countered the energy shortage, caused by an overall turning up of thermostats, at 5 a.m. yesterday by implementing a "brownout" -- a five percent decrease in voltage -- across the city. But the brownouts were not enough to fight a rapidly depleting power supply, Hackney said. To save more energy, PECO began a series of "rolling blackouts," in which over 100,000 residents experienced complete power losses at half-hour intervals. Northeast Philadelphia was hardest hit by the rolling blackouts. Despite warnings to the contrary, though, University dormitories and buildings did not experience brownouts or rolling blackouts. Around the city and state, the effects of the weather were hard felt. At least four deaths are blamed on the weather, and hospitals statewide are treating many more people for weather-related injuries. Service at the Philadelphia International Airport was also down yesterday. "It's not a result of our airport," an airport spokesperson said. "Our crews work around the clock putting down salt. There have been delays and cancellations because of bad weather at other airports." The weather has also been responsible for the ice on city streets and highways. Acting Chief Engineer for Highways Kevin Koch said the city's salt supply has become "critical." He added, though, that "salt's not that effective in a situation like this." "We're waiting for sunshine," Koch said. As the thick ice covering roads and driveways remains intact, Philadelphians have decided not to fight City Hall and have rushed to area retail stores in search of their own salt and shovels. Caldor Department Store Manager Sue Murray said the enormous outlet near Franklin Mills ran out of salt and shovels early yesterday. Desperate customers tossed huge supplies of "kitty litter" in their shopping carts to try to ameliorate the slippery conditions. "Kitty litter helps create traction," Murray explained. "It's a lot like sand." But while Caldor thrives on kitty litter sales, other small businesses have suffered. Donna Niedosik, an employee at Scott Florist on Frankford Avenue, said the cold weather is killing her flowers. "Our flowers are freezing," Niedosik said. "By the time we get them in and out of the delivery trucks, they freeze. And when you finally dethaw them, they're dead." And Carol Watkins of the Dan Watkins & Son Chimney Service said although power losses have caused an increase in the need for service to fireplaces and chimneys, chimney sweepers have not been able to get close to the problem spots. "Our problem has been trying to get a ladder up for repair," Watkins said. "They're all iced to the ground."