The freezing rain could be heavy enough to down power lines. Locals are urged to have an emergency kit ready and digital devices charged.
Snow is likely to begin around noon Thursday. Driving will be very difficult and it is recommended that folks stay off area roadways. Heavy sleet and rain will persist, according to WCPO meteorologists. This could cause downed power lines and tree limbs.
Weather models continued to vary on Wednesday, but it was expected that 4 inches or more of snow may fall. Cincinnati has the best chance to see snow after 10 p.m. Thursday.
The persistent sleet and freezing rain is the biggest concern, WCPO meteorologists said.
On Friday, travel will be extremely difficult and even impossible in some areas. The amount of snow will determine Friday’s road issues. It will be a significant enough weather event that it will take a while for workers to get the roads cleared.
The takeaway, the meteorologists said, is the biggest impact from this storm is ice. People should be prepared for power outages and to simply stay inside for at least 24 hours beginning Thursday morning.
The high temperature for Thursday is 30 degrees.
LOCAL PREPARATIONS
Butler County Engineer Greg Wilkens, who oversees the pre-treating and shoveling for a large portion of the county, said the mix of precipitation makes it hard to effectively pretreat the roads, because brine will wash away in the rain and salt doesn’t respond well to bitter cold. But they are prepared and he urged everyone “just be patient.”
“All our hands are on deck at this point in time if this thing stays extended, we typically will be moving into some of the office staff that drive too, which is pretty routine anymore,” Wilkens said. “My best advice is stay off the road, give our drivers the latitude to do their job.”
Fairfield Public Works Director Ben Mann said they have nearly 4,000 tons of salt and about 12,000 gallons of calcium chloride.
“We are expecting to operate on 12-hour shifts starting late tomorrow evening but we’ll adapt if the weather forecast changes,” Mann said.
Middletown Public Works Director Scott Tadych said his crews are ready to go, but to make fighting the storm easier “we do request residents park off the street to the extent possible Thursday and Friday.”
Liberty Twp. also is ready.
“As with all other weather related events we are fully staffed and will work 12-16 hour shifts if needed,” Liberty Twp. Service Director Rick Plummer said. “Salt supplies are full and all trucks have been loaded with Calcium Chloride to help with the de-icing.”
The Butler County Sheriff’s Office will have extra crews on hand to respond to crashes and other snow emergencies.
EMERGENCY LEVELS
Under Ohio law, sheriffs have the responsibility to monitor road conditions and to declare snow emergencies as appropriate. When it is determined that the conditions of roads and highways within the county are impaired due to snow and/or ice, a snow emergency is declared.
There are three levels of snow emergency in Ohio:
LEVEL 1: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are also icy. Drive very cautiously.
LEVEL 2: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roadways. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work.
LEVEL 3: All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. However, those traveling on the roadways may subject themselves to prosecution.
Journal-News Reporter Denise Callahan and Editor Mandy Gambrell contributed to this report.
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