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WEATHER REPORT
Staff photo by Pat Auckerman
A plow truck moves along Verity Parkway in Middletown as the snow continues Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010.
Road crews take advantage of break in snow
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Highways wet, but passable
Staff Report
Updated 6:50 PM Tuesday, February 9, 2010
HAMILTON — As the afternoon rush hour approaches today, Feb. 9, local road crews are taking advantage of a break in the snow to get the streets ready for commuters heading home.
The Interstate highways in the area are running wet, but at the speed limit, according to ODOT spokesperson Sharon Smigielski.
“The roads are cleaned, but we are still urging commuters to be cautious,” she said.
Hamilton’s street supervisor Robert Sutton said the city’s primary roads are in pretty good shape at this time and crews are working on the secondary roads trying to get them in shape before another round of snow is predicted to hit later this evening.
There are 15 trucks on the road and until the temperature drops and the next wave of snow arrives, they’ll just be plowing Hamilton’s approximately 300 miles of road. When the time is right, they’ll deposit a mix of salt and calcium chloride.
“Salt supplies are still good,” Sutton said. “We didn’t get the delivery we expected today, but I’m not surprised at that.” Sutton said he doesn’t think there’s any danger of running out of salt.
Sutton said he’s not concerned about overtime at this point. He will have crews working in the evening and another shift to work overnight.
Area residents and the equipment are all being cooperative, he said.
“We’re not having too much difficulty,” Sutton said.
Ron Phelps, Middletown’s public works superintendent said the city’s main roads are also mainly cleared but the side streets still need attention.
A second shift is ready to roll as of 3:30 p.m, Phelps said, and determination on whether or not to use a third shift will be made later as the crews continue to treat and clear the more than 600 miles of city roads.
“Overtime is always a concern, but it’s something we have to do,” he said.
Phelps said he ordered an additional 800 tons of salt prior to last Friday’s storm, but still has not received the shipment. Road crews used 554 tons of salt - around $43,000 worth - during the last snow event. The city usually averages between 300 and 400 tons of salt during a snowfall, Phelps said.
Middletown bus service in the area is still running, according to the city transit department, but schedules are running behind between 15 and 20 minutes due to road conditions.
Area road conditions “tricky”, snow emergencies elevated
As of 3:30 p.m., Butler County remained at a Level 2 snow emergency, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.
At noon, Monroe declared a snow emergency and dispatchers reported a few cars have slid off roadways, but no major problems or accidents were reported.
At 2:20 p.m., there was a report a truck in a ditch on U.S. 127 and Spring Avenue near Seven Mile. No injuries were reported.
At 12:25 p.m. sheriff’s dispatchers reported a tanker on its side on U.S. 127 and near Somerville Road. Deputies on the scene said the driver was trapped, but not injured. The truck was hauling some sort of grease, according to deputies. The tank was estimated to hold 3,000 gallons, but officials could not tell how full it was. One lane of U.S. 127 was blocked, but traffic was still moving.
About 9:30 a.m., emergency personnel have been dispatched to 1859 Gardner Road in Hamilton, where a car has reported flipped on its side. One person was transported to The Fort Hamilton Hospital for observation, according to Hamilton police and fire dispatch.
The City of Oxford was also declared a Level 2 emergency earlier Tuesday. Warren County is currently under a Level 1 snow emergency.
Under a Level 1 advisory, drivers are asked to use extreme caution as roadways are hazardous. A Level 2 advisory means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads can be very icy, and only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roadways. A Level 3 advisory would mean that all roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during this condition unless it is absolutely necessary or a personal emergency exists. Anyone traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest.
Forecast: snow showers through Wednesday
The National Weather Service forecast calls for snow continuing over the region today with an additional two to four inches expected today. The snow will slow down until late this afternoon. As the main part of the storm passes the area, snow showers starting from Lake Michigan will comeinto the area, pushing storm totals to between four and eight inches. Windy conditions will develop late tonight, which will cause blowing and drifting snow through Wednesday.
Light powdery snow reached the area just after midnight, according to Myron Padgett, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington. A winter storm warning has been extended through Wednesday until 6 p.m., he said.
Highs Tuesday are expected to be in the lower 30s, Padgett said, with lows 15 to 20 degrees. A low pressure system is moving through the area from the Mississippi Valley, he said.
Tips for older adults
The following suggestions are from the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio:
- Check-in on elderly family and neighbors. If you’re at all concerned about someone’s safety, don’t let them put you off. Stop by if you can.
- Clear walkways and handrails of snow and ice and put down salt or other ice melting agent. It’s best to encourage seniors to stay inside. Falls can spell disaster for older adults. Bring in their mail and newspaper.
- Check supplies of food and emergency items like flashlights, batteries, smoke alarm battery
- Check to make sure a space heater is being used properly: plug into outlet, not extension cord. Keep at least 3 feet away from anything that could burn, including the wall.
- If someone must get out (pick up a prescription, dr. appointment, etc.), offer to drive.
- Be a friend. Some seniors can get very isolated and stormy weather can make it worse.
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You are correct. 747 is in Butler County. Butler County has nothing to do with it. You are welcome to call West Chester Township and complain. They wanted it, they got it.
4:35 PM, 2/10/2010
9:54 AM, 2/10/2010
1:39 AM, 2/10/2010
I used to have young people come around every time it snowed, wanting to earn some money shoveling snow. In the past couple of years, there hasn't been anybody. I have had 3 back surgeries, and would gladly pay to have my walkway and driveway shoveled. Instead, I have really messed myself up, trying to do it myself. Like your parents, I don't have anyone living close enough to help me.
12:49 AM, 2/10/2010
I was wondering if any students could work for their community service hours by shoveling snow for seniors in the community. Both of my parents are in their 80's. I work and do not live close to them. I'm sure there are many seniors in Hamilton who could use this help. No one even came around offering to shovel for a price, which they would have paid. Perhaps the Council for Ageing or another agency could have a list of senior that need help in this type of emergency.
11:12 PM, 2/9/2010