First snowfall of season surprises road crews

Long commute for many after lots of accidents.

Photos: First snowfall of the season

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer Updated 3:09 PM Monday, December 7, 2009

HAMILTON — It took only a dusting of snow this morning, Dec. 7, to turn Butler County’s roads into a hockey rink, and the morning commute into a contact sport.

No serious injuries were reported across the county, though dozens of vehicles spun out on bridges, came to rest in ditches or slid into poles or one another.

The snowfall started at roughly 6 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. By the time it stopped shortly before 9 a.m., Middletown emergency dispatchers said they responded to roughly 20 accidents. Hamilton saw roughly seven accidents in that time.

Road crews across the county were caught by surprise.

“I don’t think anyone was really anticipating the flurry of snow that hit right before rush hour,” said Butler County Engineer’s Office Spokesman Chris Petrocy.

Neither the county nor Hamilton nor Middletown pre-treated roads, with forecasts calling for only a light flurry at rush hour. All three groups rushed to get crews onto the road this morning.

“We got kinda behind. We didn’t get out as soon as we should have,” said Hamilton Streets and Sewer Supervisor Bob Sutton. “If the weather people don’t get it right, I don’t get it right.”

In Middletown, things were made even worse by two water main breaks which were handled by workers who otherwise would have driven salt trucks. And some of the trucks were out at Douglas Park for a volunteer tree-planting program.

“It wasn’t ideal conditions, plus it’s the first time out,” said Middletown Public Works Supervisor Ron Phelps. “The first event, you usually work out all the kinks and keep going from there. I’m just glad it wasn’t a large event.”

National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Gallagher said the accumulation added up to maybe a quarter inch. But it sat on a layer of thin ice and only got slicker as more cars drove over it.

Gallagher said forecasts call for the next possible snowfall Wednesday afternoon, coupled with a strong wind.

“Again, we’re not looking at a whole lost of snow accumulation, but the temperatures will start dropping in the afternoon, into the upper 30s, and that might cause us some problems again,” he said.

“I’ll have to keep an eye on that,” Sutton said of the forecast.

First snowfall of season surprises road crews

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You have got to be kidding, the news reported this snowstorm two or three days before.

steven
8:00 AM, 1/8/2010

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Every driver considers himself or herself an expert. And they complain about all the idiots in all the other cars. Of course, those idiots in the other cars feel they're the experts, and it's the others who are idiots.

Something doesn't add up.

Hmmmm
8:59 PM, 12/7/2009

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I have narrowly been missed after years of driving long distances and locally to/from work. I have adopted the following driving habits:
*Leave earlier and allow more time!
*Driving the speed limit in icy conditions will earn you a spot in the ditch or against a concrete median or another vehicle. Slow down and allow triple the stopping distance.
* Keep off the brakes! Locking your wheels up on ice will not allow you to stop! Tap the brakes lightly.
* If you skid, keep control!

JEFF
7:30 PM, 12/7/2009

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Hey tc you will be the next one off the road the next time snow showes up and I will wave and say I told you to slow down as I pass you by- you are the idiot that will desirve it! You need to drive slow for those of us who care about making it to work and home for our Family!

slow
7:29 PM, 12/7/2009

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Hey I might have been the woman going 20mph. Let me tell you, TC, I am over 50, self supporting, and my employer expects me at work. I can't afford to wreck my car. There were a lot of accidents this morning but I wasn't one of them! I putt putted right up a hill where a couple of trucks and SUV's were stuck! Went right around them! I'm happy! Being able to drive fast on snow and ice doesn't always mean you can STOP on snow and ice. Hope no one got hurt too bad this morning. It was slick!

gottawork
7:11 PM, 12/7/2009

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