STORM TEAM 4: Winds Gust, Another Storm Brewing

CENTRAL OHIO -- Winds continue to gust around Central Ohio, and Storm Team 4 says another weekend storm is brewing.

Local businesses, schools, churches and organizations responded Wednesday by closing or canceling activities.

More than 440 districts or schools closed or went on delay Wednesday.

STORM TEAM 4 and NBC 4 reported with the latest local information and pinpoint forecast.

Most Central Ohio counties are under a snow emergency. Click here for the latest information on your county's level and what it means for you.

Travelers should check on flights before heading to area airports. Some flights may be delayed or even canceled. Click here to check on your flight's status.

PINPOINT FORECAST
Storm Team 4's Jym Ganahl said gusty winds up to 30 mph will persist through the evening with blowing and drifting outside of the cities.

Quiet pattern then settles in through Saturday with highs around 25 and let’s go with lows of 5-10 degrees, for now, but later in the week with a clear sky and light wind, rural lows could drop to drop below 0.

The next clipper system is expected to move into Central Ohio Sunday and Monday. The typical clipper is 1 to 3 inches of snow, with windy conditions and colder air behind it.

Ganahl said he does not expect any thaws in February with colder and snowier weather late next week again.

Tuesday's snowfall totaled about 5 inches.

The temperatures will be in the low 20s during most of the afternoon.

The winter storm warning remains in effect until this evening.

Snow showers will taper off overnight with a low of 10 degrees.

The winds will be lessening towards midnight.

There will be some Lake Effect or lake-enhanced flurries Thursday. There will be some sun and a high of 25 degrees.

LOCAL ODOT UPDATE
ODOT told NBC 4 119 road crews are on duty and salting interstates, U.S and state routes, ramps and bridges throughout its eight-county Central Ohio region until 11:30 p.m.

The number will decrease to 88 crews after 11:30 p.m.

Additional crews will be called in if necessary, and crews will go home early if, after inspection, roadways in Central Ohio are safe and passable.

Earlier Wednesday, ODOT crews battled ice, snow, freezing temperatures, and high winds.

Crews in Delaware, Madison, Pickaway and Union Counties have been dealing with a lot of blowing snow in the last 12 hours.

Despite the miles logged, records show there were more ice and snow events for the same time period last year compared to this year for ODOT District 6.

From November 2008 to February 9, 2009, there were 207 events where more than 50 tons of salt was used compared to 168 events so far this winter.

Storm Team 4's Ben Gelber reminded motorists that salt is not as effective as these temperatures.

Drivers are urged to use extra care in rural counties where there is blowing and drifting snow.

COLUMBUS SNOW WARRIORS
Rick Tilton, Columbus assistant director of public service, said more than 50 crews were out overnight plowing and salting. Crews are salting but not putting brine on the roads.

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

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)

When the city does plow residential streets:
- The goal is to make residential streets passable.
- Plow trucks do not plow down to bare pavement on residential streets.
- Residential streets typically are not plowed the entire curb-to-curb width.
- On cul-de-sacs, plow trucks plow enough of the cul-de-sac “bulb” allow vehicles to turn around, rather than go right to the cul-de-sac bulb curb.

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.

COLD-WEATHER TIPS FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY DOG SHELTER
Franklin County Animal Care and Control recommended taking extra precautions to protect your pet in frigid weather:

- Keep your pets inside. Whenever temperatures dip below freezing, pets should be kept indoors except for brief trips outside when nature calls. This is particularly true with older dogs, puppies or animals that are sick.
- Wipe your pet’s paws to remove ice from the pads and any salt or chemicals used to melt ice on sidewalks, driveways. If you do plan to walk your dog, or spend time exercising him outside, consider buying him a sweater or doggie coat to help retain body heat and boots to protect his feet from the ice and snow.
- Even with special insulation, doghouses provide little protection from sub-zero temperatures or wind chills.
- Bring outside pets inside to a garage or basement if possible. Keep outside pets safely confined in a crate or kennel to avoid them getting into dangerous chemicals used to melt snow, ice or antifreeze, which can be fatal.
- Provide extra bedding and insulation. Any pets that do stay outside in extremely cold weather need extra insulation. Raise the doghouse off the ground, and face the door away from the wind. Add straw and blankets inside and a door flap to keep the inside warmer. Local groups make doghouses and straw available to those who need them.

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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