Area digs out from major snowfall
By MARY ANN GREIER, Staff WriterArticle Photos
Area residents spent most of Saturday digging out from a much-anticipated snowstorm which dumped up to 22 inches in some spots - about a foot more than what had been forecast - leaving vehicles buried, roads slick, stores closed and events cancelled.
"Use common sense. If you don't have to be out there, don't go out there," Salem City Director of Public Service and Safety Steve Andres said.
The amount of snow and how fast it came down created a challenge that road crews all over are still battling. Andres said Saturday that city crews worked all night and all day at snow removal, but he asked that residents be patient. Salem Police logged more than 50 calls by Saturday afternoon from people asking about their streets.
"We're doing the best we can," Andres said, calling the snowfall "absolutely amazing."
The Ohio Department of Transportation sent 1,300 snowplows and vehicles into the storm to battle the ice and snow throughout the state, with snow falling at an estimated rate of 2 inches per hour in eastern Ohio throughout the night.
Snow totals varied depending on the community, with one television station reporting 22 inches in Leetonia and 13 inches in the Salem area. Andres reported a neighbor measured 22 inches in his yard in Salem, while a Leetonia resident reported having at least 17 inches or more.
Andres reminded city residents a parking ban remains in effect until 6 p.m. today and said he noticed a lot of vehicles still parked in the street as he drove around Saturday. Ironically, there were two police cruisers parked on Pershing Street next to the police station entrance covered in snow Saturday afternoon, as were a couple of police cruisers parked behind city hall.
Ohio Edison reported several power outages caused by lines down, trees on lines and poles knocked out by the weather. About 1,200 to 1,300 customers were affected in Columbiana County, with about 912 residents in Salem without power Saturday. David Turner, Ohio Edison External Affairs Manager for Columbiana and Mahoning counties, said power should be restored by this morning.
"Our biggest issue has really been road conditions," he said, adding they've been working with community street crews to ensure a clear roadway so they can get to the poles.
The Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency opened up Saturday morning to help local officials respond to incidents. Law enforcement officials were asking residents to remain home so work crews could clear roads and work to get power restored. A shelter was opened at Westgate Elementary School in East Liverpool.
Residents with special medical needs who required assistance were asked to call the EMA office at 330-424-9725. Residents requiring emergency assistance were told to call 911.
Salem Police responded to multiple reports of fender benders, vehicles stuck in snow, and vehicles disabled. At 2:14 a.m. Saturday, a medical courier delivering supplies to various sites in the city was unable to proceed due to road conditions and had to be towed out in the area of Continental Drive and Bentley. Semi trucks were also having difficulty.
Salem firefighters called to the scene of a car fire at 6:17 a.m. Saturday on Cedar Street off of South Lincoln Avenue had to pull their hoses up to the fire after the fire truck became stuck in the street, along with a police vehicle and truck trying to plow the snow. The cause of the fire in the engine area of a 2000 Aztek was undetermined.
ODOT stressed its mantra for this time of year: ice and snow, take it slow. A press release said Buckeye Traffic.org would be constantly updated so motorists can keep tabs on accidents, winter road conditions and delays. The Web site also gives visitors access to traffic cameras and weather monitors across the state.
Several businesses were closed due to the weather, along with numerous activities cancelled for Saturday and some on Sunday.The Salem Community Center and Center Circle was closed Saturday, but planned to reopen today at 11 a.m.
The Columbiana County Republican Party had planned to host its annual Lincoln Day dinner Saturday night, but cancelled the event. A new date will be announced at a later date.
Residents may want to call ahead before venturing out on the roads to a planned event to make sure its still happening.
