STORM TEAM 4: Heavy Snowfall Continues

CENTRAL OHIO -- The snow continued to fall around Central Ohio -- and updated totals show we can expect a foot of snow when it's all said and done.

Road crews continued to work to ensure your roadways are safe and passable as snow continues to blanket Central Ohio, causing cancellations, treacherous roads and snow emergencies for area residents.

All of Central Ohio remains under a winter storm warning until 6 p.m. Saturday, and in all, Storm Team 4 meteorologists are calling for 10 to 12 inches of snow around the area.

At 10 p.m., Storm Team 4's Jym Ganahl said winds have picked up and later Friday night, when snow gets less water-logged Central Ohio will get blowing and drifting that persists Saturday.

Totals at 10 p.m. were right at 10 inches across the west to north and east suburbs. Inside the city, at the NBC 4 studios, totals were at 7.5 inches.

Total snow will now range from 12 to 18 inches north of Columbus with higher totals toward Coshocton. Southern Ohio had rain much of the day and will only see 2 to 4 inches of snow.

Columbus gets another 2 to 4 inches overnight, then 1 to 2 inches during the day Saturday.

YES it is a record snowfall for the day.

When the colder air moves in Friday night, the wet and slushy surfaces will turn to ice. That's why, Storm Team 4's Ben Gelber said, homeowners should clear their sidewalks and driveways as soon as possible, so that when the cold moves in the surfaces don't freeze.

The storm will move out slowly Saturday afternoon and most of the snow will taper off by Saturday evening.

Saturday, the high temperature will reach 28 degrees as the storm moves from the area, and the overnight low Saturday night will drop into the low teens.

It is good packing snow, though, for building snowmen.

Gelber said drivers will face black ice on the roads and winds will be 35 mph Friday night.

Bottom line: Stay off the roads, if possible.

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

ODOT UPDATE
AS OF 7 p.m.: ODOT has 133 drivers in snow plows throughout the eight counties in Central Ohio. The primary focus is plowing interstates, state and U.S. routes, ramps and bridges.
The heaviest snow fall has been reported in Union County, seven inches of snow accumulation, followed by Franklin County with 5.5 inches and the ODOT Madison County garage reporting 4.5. inches.

Crews are working 12-hour shifts, and with the heaviest snow fall expected overnight, crew numbers are expected to remain the same or increase if possible.

COLUMBUS SNOW WARRIORS
Rick Tilton, Columbus assistant director of public service, said city crews are working 12-hour shifts and the city has plenty of salt.
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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