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More Snow And Rain Expected Tuesday As Area Digs Out From Snow
< < Back to winter-begins-workweek-heavy-snowUPDATE 4:15 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued another winter storm warning for portions of the WOUB coverage area starting Tuesday evening as the area digs out from several inches of snow Monday.
Those counties include Guernsey, Jefferson, Harrison, Muskingum, Carroll, Coshocton and Tuscarawas counties.
According to the National Weather Service, those counties could see six inches or more of snow. Some areas could experience up to one quarter inch of ice.
The storm is expected to bring rainfall to southern portions of the state prompting flooding concerns by some officials.
The Athens County EMA advised people to clear storm drains of snow to avoid flooding problems with the expected rain.
The region saw up to 10 inches of snow fall in the overnight hours Sunday into Monday prompting schools and government offices to close.
UPDATE 3:35 p.m. Ohio University announced that all Monday classes are canceled, even though the campus will reopen at 5 p.m. Monday. Classes will fully resume at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
UPDATE 12:45 p.m. State Route 7 in Gallia County has reopened after being closed so AEP Ohio crews could make repairs to a power pole.
The City of Athens offices are open as of noon.
UPDATE 12:29 p.m. The Vinton County Courier is reporting the county has been downgraded to a level-two snow emergency.
UPDATE 11:04 a.m. Residents around the region are waking up to six to seven inches of snow Monday morning.
Ohio University canceled classes and closed campus until 5 p.m. at its main campus in Athens. The university’s Southern campus is closed until 3 p.m. Monday.
In Nelsonville, Hocking College has canceled classes for the day.
Athens County Commissioners closed all county government offices until Tuesday.
Several counties declared level-two snow emergencies. Vinton County declared a level-three snow emergency effectively closing all roads and businesses.
Only emergency vehicles are being permitted to travel there.
More than 600 AEP Ohio customers in Gallia County are without power because of a power pole fire in the Galliapolis area. AEP officials say power should be restored around noon.
A dispatcher at the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Athens post says they’ve been getting numerous reports of accidents but had no major accidents to report.
According to ODOT’s road condition website, State Route 7 is closed in both directions between State Route 141 and State Route 218. The Gallia County Emergency Management Agency reports the road is closed due to an eletrical line down.
An accident in Jackson County, Ohio involving a semi tractor-trailer that had closed Rt. 35 eastbound was cleared and the road reopened around 7:00 a.m.
Troopers are also investigating a fatal accident on county road 19. According to the Patrol, David Schoolcraft, 41, died after being ejected from his vehicle early Sunday morning. The accident happened just before 1 a.m. Troopers say Schoolcraft lost control and drove off the left side of the road, hitting a tree before overturning.
Snow fall is expected into mid-morning, with an additional 1 to 1 1/2 inches of accumulation possible.
UPDATE 10:43 a.m. All Athens County government offices are closed Monday and will reopen Tuesday, the Athens EMA tweeted.
Also, the Ohio Department of Transportation is reporting that SR-7 is closed in both directions between SR-141 and SR-218. ODOT estimates the road will be cleared at 1 p.m. Monday.
UPDATE 10:00 a.m. Ohio University officials have extended the campus closure until 5 p.m. Monday.
According to a posting to the university's emergency alert page student activities may resume as scheduled beginning at 5 p.m. Classes have been canceled for Monday.
The university says all campus buildings on the Athens Campus are closed with the exception of the following:
All dining halls and courts will remain open with normal operating hours.
Ping Recreation Center – opening at noon; remaining open until normal closing time.
Baker University Center – opening at noon; remaining open until normal closing time.
UPDATE 9:00 a.m. Area police agencies reported roads in horrible shape Monday morning and advised motorists to refrain from driving.
Athens County offices delayed opening until 11:00 a.m. while Athens City offices were not going to open until noon.
Athens Municipal Court was operating on a regular schedule Monday.
An accident in Jackson County, Ohio involving a semi tractor-trailer that had closed Rt. 35 eastbound was cleared and the road reopened around 7:00 a.m.
To the South in Kanawha County, W.Va. a Hurricane Police Officer was hospitalized after rolling his cruiser near Cross Lanes.
UPDATE:
Ohio University's Athens Campus delayed opening until 11:00 a.m. Monday to allow sidewalks and roadways to be cleared of the heavy snow that fell overnight.
Jenny Hall Jones, tweeted that announcement shortly after 6:00 a.m. advising students the first class would be at 11:50 a.m. Monday.
Hocking College canceled classes for the day.
Vinton County declared a level-three snow emergency effectively closing all roads and businesses.
Only emergency vehicles are being permitted to travel there.
Residents of Southeast Ohio were greeted by six to seven inches of snow Monday morning.
The latest winter wonderland scene moved Athens, Jackson and Vinton Counties to declare a level-two snow emergency urging motorists to stay off the roads.
A tractor-trailer accident on Route 35 in Jackson County shutdown the road's eastbound lanes shortly after 5 a.m. and several school systems told their students and teachers to stay home – again.
Athens, Nelsonville-York, Alexander and Trimble Schools all made the decision to cancel classes before 5:30 a.m.
A spokesperson with the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 10 which serves Athens and Marietta said it was difficult for snow plows to keep up with the intense snowfall.
"By the time we would make one pass on SR 550, the road would be covered again."
ODOT used a mix of 50 percent salt and 50 percent sand to melt the snow.
The main focus Sunday night was on bridges, overpasses, hills and sharp turns.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Warning for Southeast Ohio that is expected to end by late morning Monday.