St. Clair Township Road Department employees Dave Smith and Dylan Wolfe load salt trucks in preparation of the Winter storm predicted to hit the area over the weekend. (Photo Courtesy of St. Clair Township Road Department)

LISBON –Most Columbiana County government offices and courts announced they’ll be closed Monday as area road crews prepare to take on the monster snow storm expected to hit the county Sunday.

Ohio Department of Transportation, county engineer’s office, and local street department personnel all said they’ll be ready to face the snow and they’re okay when it comes to salt supplies.

Their advice to the public, though, is to stay home, to give plow drivers a chance to do their work against the elements.

“If you can stay home, stay off the roads. If you’re on the roads, give the plow drivers a lot of room and take your time,” county Chief Deputy Highway Engineer Bill Helscel said Friday.

The Columbiana County commissioners made the decision Friday to close the downtown courthouse on Monday. Also closed will be other county offices, including Municipal Court, Juvenile Court, Title Department, Board of Elections and county Health Department, which will reopen Tuesday.

Helscel said the county pays attention to the weather, but pays more attention when it gets closer to 24 hours before an expected event. The plan now is to come in early Sunday morning, possibly 1 a.m., but the time will depend on how soon the storm starts.

“It’s very hard to predict,” county Engineer Bert Dawson said.

The county will have 15 plow trucks in service, with eight backup drivers in addition to the 15, and with three salt storage domes in place, with the main one in Lisbon at county headquarters. Helscel said the county is okay when it comes to salt, saying the average usage is 5,000 tons each year, dependent on how much snow and activity there is. So far, the county has used under 3,000 tons for the season. He said he ordered another 8,300 tons of salt, adding that he likes to end the season with full salt bins so they’re ready to start when the bad weather hits in the fall. The price was $58.72 per ton, about $1 more per ton than last season, with the county securing the salt through the Ohio Department of Transportation.

When asked how the cold temperatures will affect their efforts, Helscel said, “Salt works less effectively the colder it gets.”

The county adds grit to the mix to help with the traction. Dawson said when it gets cold and the snow is a wet snow, it makes it more difficult. Both he and Helscel said drifting can be a big problem and is expected on Monday. With the new garage that was completed last year, the plow trucks all sit inside, giving them an advantage. They’ll have the trucks already loaded and ready to go when drivers report for duty in the wee hours Sunday.

As of Friday afternoon, Helscel said the forecast was for 8 to 12 inches of snow starting early Sunday, but that could change.

“We’ll watch the weather constantly between now and then,” he said.

ODOT District 11 Public Information Officer Lauren Borell said 13 trucks will plow the state routes in Columbiana County in 12-hour shifts, with a whole new crew driving the trucks after the first 12 hours with their own 12-hour shift for 24-7 coverage. The first crew will start at 6 tonight.

She said ODOT has plenty of salt and more ice control methods to use when the cold makes salt less effective, including beet juice and brine, which is calcium chloride.

Her advice was “if folks can avoid unnecessary travel, do so.”

“Our goal is passable, not perfect,” she said.

Borell also said, “A lot of blowing and drifting snow is expected with the winds and even in the days following the storm. It may take time for conditions to improve.”

She suggested residents follow the road conditions through OHGO on the ODOT website at transportation.ohio.gov There’s also information on social media accounts and live photos from ODOT trucks. She said there’s a lot of ways to stay up-to-date on the road conditions.

Last winter, ODOT salt usage in Columbiana County was 12,686 tons and 111,043 gallons of brine. Total miles driven were 196,457, with 685 treated lane miles and 193 bridges.

East Liverpool

Bill Jones, safety service director, East Liverpool, said the city’s road department is ready to roll when the storm hits this weekend.

The city will have crews clearing the roads around the clock once the storm begins with two crews, each with three drivers working 12-hour shifts.

“Right now, we have four trucks and all four trucks are running, but with anything like this we are anticipating mechanical breakdowns,” Jones said. “We have our own in-house mechanics so we can hopefully get things repaired a little quicker than having to send things out which is a bonus for us.”

Three of the trucks will be running, and the fourth will serve as a spare in case of breakdown or mechanical issues which is a possibility when a truck is used constantly like they will be during the storm.

Jones said the price of salt for the city went up approximately $3 a ton.

The city has used more salt this year than what was used at this point last year

They have not exceeded the allotted amount of salt yet and are still able to get salt, but they face problems with getting it delivered.

Jones said they are allowed to purchase up to 110% of the allotted amount, so they have 10% of the amount they allotted, which is 1,400 tons, so they can get another 140 ton if needed.

“We are having tough times getting the salt delivered because everyone is busy getting theirs,” Jones said. “States and counties get theirs first and we are next line, but we are okay on salt for this storm and we expect another delivery soon.”

Jones anticipates the city having enough salt to get through the winter season but can’t say for 100% certainty with these storms.

He also noted that the city has an estimated 700 to 800 tons on hand right now after loaning approximately 1,200 tons to East Liverpool Schools when they ran short.

“Right now, we are good,” Jones said. “After the storm we will reevaluate and hopefully they can get our salt order to us.”

Jones noted that not every municipality pays the same price for salt or other treatment materials such as sand which the city mixes in with the salt to help provide traction when the temperature drops too low for salt to be effective.

With salt being ineffective below 15 degrees, the road department is mixing sand with the salt to provide traction.

“We will do the best we can. We don’t know what we are going to get hit with,” Jones said. “We just ask people to bear with us, our guys are doing a good job, and we don’t want to overwork them for their safety. We planned the best we could for what we were told is coming.”

The main roads will be the immediate focus and any emergency routes for police, fire or ambulance during the major part of the storm then secondary roads/residential streets after that.

Jones noted it would be helpful for residents to park as far off the streets as possible to make passage easier for plows.

“It might take us a couple of days, but we will get through this,” Jones said. “People just have to be patient and use common sense.”

Liverpool township

Liverpool Township Road Supervisor Chris Bosworth said the township is good on salt and there is no possibility of them running low.

Currently they have approximately 400 tons on hand.

With the weather this season, the township has used more salt at this point this year than last year.

Bosworth said salt prices remained about the same for the township.

The township will have four trucks, including one brand new, and four workers working overlapping shifts to try to keep continuous coverage for clearing the roads. He anticipates having two trucks out at a time working no longer than 12 hours so drivers can get some rest and still have round the clock coverage.

Crews will be putting down a mix of salt, #8 limestone grit for traction and ash to aid in melting.

Bosworth is asking residents to be courteous of the plow drivers and to try to park their cars as far off the road as possible to make it easier for trucks to clear the roadways.

The township’s trucks are loaded and ready to go.

St. Clair Township

St. Clair Township Road Foreman Scott Barrett said township trucks are loaded and ready to go when the storm hits and his crew of four trucks with four drivers will be working until the snow stops.

Barrett said the trucks are in good working order and does not anticipate any issues.

The township is good on their salt supply, and Barrett said there is no possibility of them running short this winter.

He also said that the salt price for this year remained about the same, and the township has used more salt this winter so far, compared to this time last year. He estimates probably already using about 300 tons more this year so far.

Crews will be putting down a 50/50 mix of salt and #8 limestone grit.

“We are going our main roads clear first, side roads, definitely,” Barrett said. “When it comes down that fast you can’t keep up on sideroads also. So, we will keep the mains cleared so side roads can get to the main roads and after it starts slowing down, we will get the side roads and catch up on them.”

Wellsville

Jeff Cope, village administrator, Wellsville, said crews were busy Friday afternoon getting trucks loaded and new hoses put on the plows in preparation for the weekend storm.

In addition to four street department employees, Cope has Eddie Wilson Construction Company on standby to help if needed since the village has been having issues with their trucks.

Cope said the construction company has trucks and workers the village can use if needed.

The village currently has two tons left of the three tons purchased, and Cope anticipates that being enough to get the village through the end of Winter.

Cope noted that the village is consistent on their salt use and has used about the same amount so far this year as they did at this point last year.

There was approximately a $30 per ton increase in the price of salt this year.

Road crews will be dropping just straight salt and combined with plowing, Cope hopes to be able to stay on top of keeping the roads cleared to a point where they don’t freeze, but notes that will depend on what the storm dumps on them.

The Village of Wellsville has a parking ban in place effective from 5 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. on Monday, which prohibits any parking on Main Street. Residents are asked to park off the road, especially those on Commerce and Broadway streets, to make room for plows.

Cope also asked, if possible, for residents to stay off the roads so crews can keep them clear.

Chester

Chester Mayor Ed Wedgewood said that his municipality’s two plow trucks has an average road salt supply on hand. In the case of the lower temperatures, crews just plow and don’t apply salt.

State recommendations

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Friday joined state officials from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), and Buckeye State Sheriffs Association to encourage Ohioans to prepare for the impending severe weather.

“My main advice to everyone is to stay home if you can,” said DeWine. “By staying home, you and your family will be in the safest place to ride out the storm; you give ODOT and local road crews time to plow the roads; and you can help ensure that law enforcement resources aren’t taxed.”

Tips from Ohio EMA:

During the storm

Close off unused rooms, use blankets and layers, and avoid ovens or grills for heat.

When using generators, follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Do not leave space heaters unattended.

Keep phones charged, use text messages to conserve your battery, and listen to official updates.

After the storm

Inspect your home for damage, leaks, or ice buildup, and clear snow carefully.

Clear snow and debris from storm drains.

Watch for downed power lines, report immediately, and be cautious of slippery surfaces.

Check on neighbors, especially elderly or vulnerable individuals, and share resources.

Tips from the Ohio Department of Aging:

Caregivers should have a plan in place in the event they cannot reach their loved ones by locating the nearest emergency shelter and identifying a trusted neighbor to serve as a backup caregiver.

Wear boots or shoes with good traction to help prevent falls.

Dress in layers and limit exposure to the outdoors during extreme cold temperatures.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey also held a briefing Friday to outline the state’s preparations for a potentially significant winter storm expected to impact West Virginia this weekend.

“While the forecasts may change, we want to make sure we are prepared to work together to keep our people safe,” said Morrisey.

The governor said state agencies, local emergency managers, public safety officials, utilities, FEMA, the National Weather Service, and the federal Department of Homeland Security have been in close communication all week. Additionally, non-governmental, voluntary, and community organizations met Friday to discuss readiness related to food banks, shelters, and crisis response plans.

As needed, the State Emergency Response Center will be activated and staffed to support coordination and focus the response on saving lives and protecting property.

Utility Outage Contact Numbers:

Potomac Edison: 1-800-686-0011

AEP: 1-800-956-4237

Mon Power: 1-800-686-0022

For those needing access to a warming center or food bank, call 211 or their county local emergency management offices. For emergencies, call 911.

Drivers

Ohio State Highway Patrol commander Lt. Dan Morrison of the Lisbon post offered motorists some sage advice if deciding to risk driving on the roads over this stormy weekend.

He advised if you must travel, be sure your car is up-to-date on its maintenance, especially tires, battery, wipers, defroster and cooling system.

Having a winter weather emergency kit, which includes a flashlight, flares, a shovel, blanket, snacks and bottled water, on hand is key in addition to carrying jumper cables, a car phone charger and ice scraper in your vehicle.

Morrison also advised to drive slowly as icy roads tend to make it more difficult to respond constructively and to remember bridges tend to freeze first so be extra cautious when preparing to cross them.

Reducing speed, increasing distance and staying alert can assist a driver in case of an unexpected surprise.

Morrison concluded by urging motorists to continue monitoring weather as the storm gets closer.