MOUNT VERNON — Just after 2 a.m. Friday, Knox County Sheriff David Shaffer issued a Level 1 snow emergency for Knox County. Two hours later, Shaffer went a level higher and issued a Level 2 snow emergency.
“The plows are doing what they can,” a Knox County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post states. “The high winds are creating some visibility problems in open areas.”
Under the three-tier system, Level 2 means roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. Motorists should use extreme caution.
Knox County EMA Director Mark Maxwell doesn’t issue snow emergencies, but he’s prepared if the storm wipes out power countywide.
“If there were power outages then we might open warming centers,” Maxwell said.
The warming center is designed to allow people to charge their electronic and medical devices and stay warm, Maxwell said.
As of Friday afternoon, there were fewer than 10 power outages across Knox County, according to AEP’s outage map.
“If you don’t need to be out then stay home,” the EMA Director said.
The Ohio Department of Transportation District’s 5 and 6, which covers Knox and several other central Ohio counties, have a combined 200 crews working 12-hour shifts, ODOT Public Information officer Morgan Overbey said.
Crews started spreading salt and clearing icy-covered roadways midnight Thursday, Overbey said.
Crews are mixing beet juice with salt brine, which helps melt ice off roadways when temperatures go into the negative digits.
