STORM TEAM 4: Winter Storm Moves On, Temps Falling

CENTRAL OHIO—Central Ohio has received anywhere from 4 inches in downtown Columbus to 11 inches or more to the north and east of the city, causing outages, cancelations and closings, snow emergencies and treacherous roadways.

STORM TEAM 4 and NBC 4 reported with the information you need to dig out and remain safe.

Several Central Ohio counties are under snow emergencies. Click here for the full list.

Storm Team 4‘s Ben Gelber reported the following snow totals from Friday and Saturday:

17”  Millersport, Johnstown

16”  Freeport, Center Village, Springfield

15”  Pataskala, Thornville, Centerburg, New Albany (14.7”), Mansfield (15.4” NWS airport), Granville, Marysville (14.5”)

14”  Delaware, Powell, Hoover Reservoir (Franklin Co.)

13”  Mt. Gilead, Toboso (13.3”), Hanover

12”  Hilliard, Dublin, Worthington, Upper Arlington, Magnetic Springs (12.3”), Zanesville (11.8”), Coshocton, Pickerington 3 NE (11.5”), Newark 2N (11.5”)

11”  Waldo, Rockbridge (10.5”)

10” Gahanna (9.9” NWS airport)

9”  NBC 4 NW Columbus (9.4”)

7”  Pickerington, Grove City

6”  Lancaster, Athens (6.3”)

4”  Waverly, Chillicothe (3.5” but 6” on hilltop), Jackson (3.5”)

3”  Circleville

Residents are now dealing with the aftermath of the storm.  In Columbus, that is taking the form of icy streets. Drivers are reporting black ice on roadways that have been cleared and were wet during the day but have turned icy at night.  Low traffic volume is preventing a large number of traffic calls for Columbus police.

In outlying areas of Central Ohio, the wind’s effect on the snow is causing trouble.  Union County deputies are patrolling roads, reporting that many vehicles are stopped along the road, having slipped on icy surfaces caused by high winds.

In addition, large snow drifts have formed, and snow plows have been forced to return to areas they previously cleared.

In Marion County, officials closed a two-mile stretch of state Route 309 near Big Island because road crews couldn’t keep up with the drifting snow.

As the temperatures fall Saturday night, the slushy and snow will start to refreeze. Side streets and sidewalks could become ice rinks. Be prepared.

Mostly cloudy skies, falling temps, freezing and icing and a low of 15 degrees Saturday night.

Sunday’s forecast includes mostly cloudy skies, less winds and a high of 25 degrees.

More snow, 1 to 3 inches possible, is coming Tuesday ... plus a few more Wednesday.
The low-pressure center that’s giving us all this grief is heading toward the East Coast. It should be out of our region later Saturday afternoon and will take the snow with it.

As the temperatures fall, a lot of the slush and snow will start to turn to ice. By Sunday morning, many of the side streets and sidewalks that haven’t been cleared will turn into ice rinks.

TAKE A SNOW MEASUREMENT
Go out into the middle of your yard, away from trees and buildings and measure the snow depth in at least three different places and average those measurements. 

Send your snow totals to , and Storm Team 4 will try to compile a list.

ODOT UPDATE
ODOT told NBC 4 131 crews remain on the job in Central Ohio plowing and salting interstates, state and U.S. routes, ramps and bridges.

While most of the mainline freeways, state and U.S. routes are clear, safe and passable, the focus now is clearing ramps, shoulders, berms, and bridges of all snow. With the forecast calling for frigid temperatures and high winds overnight, ODOT is trying to reduce the risk, where possible, of blowing snow which can create instant slick spots.

Blowing snow is more likely in Ohio, rural counties.

COLUMBUS SNOW WARRIORS
Rick Tilton, Columbus assistant director of public service, said 60 city crews are working 12-hour shifts and the city has plenty of salt. Crews will continue to work full shifts throughout the weekend.

At 5 p.m., Tilton said crews had begun working on residential streets, and asked residents to be patient.

He said residents should park in driveways. Crews have to put the snow somewhere and drivers parked on the street might get plowed in.

Crews are plowing and putting down a salt-calcium chloride mix.

Tilton gave these snow-route priorities:
- Priority 1 - Freeway system (Portions of state routes 315, 33 and 104. ODOT is responsible for I-71, I-70, I-670 and I-270)
- Priority 2 - Arterial streets (Examples: High Street, Broad Street, Morse Road)
- Priority 3 - Collector residential streets (Examples: Oakland Park Avenue, Courtright Road, Hague Avenue, Weber Road)
- Priority 4 - Residential streets (Plowed only after 4 inches of snow are on the ground and after freeways, arterials and collector residential streets have been plowed and treated)

Residents can call 311 or 614-645-3111 to find out where their street falls in the below priorities.

Tilton said the snow warriors use different treatments for streets depending on the conditions:
- Salt, calcium chloride: Melts snow and ice under most conditions. Salt loses its effectiveness in extremely low temperatures, especially on lightly traveled streets.
- Brine (a mix of salt and water): Pavement is pre-treated with brine prior to a storm. Brine helps prevent snow and ice from bonding to pavement.
- Rock salt or salt mixed with calcium chloride: Applied to road with highest traffic volumes and highest speeds during and after snow falls.

Tilton said you can help by, when possible, parking vehicles in driveways or parking lots and off streets to give plow trucks room to plow; checking on senior citizens, shut-ins and other neighbors with mobility impairments; whether a home or business, shovel your sidewalk, driveway apron and any wheelchair ramps in front of your home or business; pile snow in yards; never shovel snow into the street or sidewalks; and apply salt, sand or cat litter to icy steps and paths.

COLUMBUS POLICE HAZARDOUS WEATHER REMINDERS
Before you leave:
- Wake up early.
- Listen to the radio and television for updates on the weather, road and traffic conditions.
- Advise someone of your travel plans so they know when to expect your return.
- Do not leave your vehicle unattended while it is warming up. Thieves are always looking for an easy target, not to mention you could be issued a ticket.
- Leave early, and don’t rush. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.
- Think about alternate routes to avoid traffic problems.
- Pack a blanket and extra clothes in case you become stranded.
- Carry a cell phone and make sure it is charged.
- Pack a shovel, sand or kitty litter to aid in getting out of snow drifts or ice patches.

Ensure your vehicle is safe to drive:
- Make sure your windshield wipers are working properly, and make sure your windshield is clear of frost and snow.
- Travel with at least a half of a tank of gas in case you become stranded or stuck in traffic.
- Make sure your tires have adequate tread to drive through heavy snow and ice.
- Check your windshield-washer fluid levels and carry extra in your vehicle.
- Have a qualified mechanic check your brakes and exhaust system.
- Make sure headlights, taillights and turn signals work so other drivers can see you.

While you are out:
- Allow for extra stopping distance between you and other vehicles.
- Don’t make sudden stops or erratic turns.
- If you become involved in an accident check for injuries. Call medical personnel and the police if anyone is injured.
- If there are no injuries and the vehicles can be safely driven from the roadway, move to a safe area, off of the traveled part of the roadway, and call police. (Columbus Police 614-645-4545)
- Exchange information with the other driver and file a police report as soon as practical if accident response restrictions are in place.

Pedestrians:
- Avoid walking in the street.
- Wear reflective tape or clothing so approaching vehicles can see you from a distance.
- Cross the roadway at marked crosswalks and intersections.

SAFETY TIPS FROM THE RED CROSS
The Red Cross recommends that people follow these safety tips during the storm:
- Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.
- Use generators correctly. Never operate a generator inside your home, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home’s wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
- Don’t forget your pets. Bring them indoors. If you can’t bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm, and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.
- If you must go outside: Wear layered, lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
- Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
- Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks.
- After the storm, be careful if you have to shovel snow. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering, or you have symptoms of frostbite, including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.

Get more information at http://www.redcross.org.

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