There is a level 3 snow emergency in many Ohio counties, and this is causing some problems for residents. Fresh snow is falling in the Scioto Valley this morning, which means drivers are staying inside and trying to keep warm.
The majority of the snow began falling Friday night as a mixture of snow and ice Friday night, but then as the evening progressed more snow than anything was falling. Despite being March, there is a blizzard warning for Ross, Pike, Pickaway, Fayette, and Highland Counties until late afternoon Saturday. One county, Vinton, is under a blizzard warning until 7 pm. All of this snow is causing the level 3 snow emergency!
At the moment there is no snow total available for most counties, as it is still falling. But, at the moment, Circleville has 10.5 inches of snow. The mayor of Chillicothe, Joe Sulzer, is recommending that everyone stay indoors and off the roads.
The road conditions are treacherous at best and do not seem to be improving. The roads are completely covered with snow and ice and are very dangerous. All residents are recommended to stay inside and avoid driving at all costs. Some counties with the level 3 snow emergency are even giving drivers tickets for being out on the road.
Currently, the counties of Fayette, Hocking, and Vinton have a Level 3 snow emergency. The Level 3 snow emergency means that only emergency personnel are allowed on the roads. It may sound shocking, but those choosing to ignore the level 3 snow emergency and who get out on the roads to drive are subject to arrest. This is a lot to risk just for driving, so government officials are recommending that everyone stay inside and wait out the storm.
Other counties with snow emergencies that are not as serious as the level 3 snow emergency include Ross and Pickaway counties that have a Level 2 snow emergency and Pike County that simply has a Level 1.
The Level 2 snow emergency is severe, but not as severe as the level 3 snow emergency. This means that drivers should only drive if necessary because the roads are hazardous with drifting snow, ice conditions, and blowing snow. Most employers are not requiring individuals to go into work, but call to double check.
Drivers under a Level 1 snow emergency show use extreme caution when driving as the roads are icy with drifting snow and hazardous conditions.
Despite the blizzard conditions and Level 3 snow warnings there are surprisingly few power outages. American Electric Power reported only 187 homes without power and there are not outages so far from South Central Power.
In other news, a plane at the Port Columbus International Airport skidded off the runway due to the bad conditions from the storm on Friday night. There were no injuries reported although there were 130 passengers aboard the Boeing 737 when it went off the runway.
The Level 3 snow emergency is keeping many indoors and will continue in effect until the road conditions improve.