Recent warmer weather has melted much of the snow and ice leaving only the giant piles of snow on streets, like this one on Market Street, and parking lots. (Photo by Art Smith)

PARKERSBURG — Local officials in both West Virginia and Ohio say they have ample salt to handle any lingering winter weather in the next few weeks.

Crews used a lot of salt over the past few weeks to clear snow and ice from local roadways after winter snow storms and freezing rain hit the area in late January.

Over the past week, temperatures have been reaching into the 50s which has begun melting the snow and ice that is on the ground.

However, the National Weather Service in Charleston is calling for a 60% chance of rain today, a 70-80% chance of rain Thursday, a 30% chance Friday, a 50% chance Saturday night and a 50% of rain turning to snow on Sunday with a 40% of snow by Sunday night with a low of 24.

Many road crews had already used a lot of salt this season and officials still have plenty or they are receiving shipments to replenish their supply to be prepared in the event of another snow storm.

Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce said the city is set to receive 750 tons of salt sometime today.

“It is the remaining amount of salt on our open PO (purchase order),” he said, adding it was originally delayed when they ordered it on Jan. 20, but it could not be delivered until today.

“We were never really in true danger of running out of salt,” he said, adding they were able to get an additional 200 tons of salt last week from a different supplier in Maryland.

The city has used around 821 tons of salt, the mayor estimated based on reports from the city road crews, to treat local roads following the recent ice and snow storms that hit the area a few weeks ago.

“We have plenty of salt on hand and we have another 750 tons being delivered (today),” he said. “That will be the total summation of our supply we had originally procured for this fiscal year.”

The Public Works Department will keep the mayor apprised of the salt supply. If more would be needed and a budget revision to do it, they will take that action when needed.

“We will take the appropriate action, with council’s involvement,” Joyce said. “Hopefully we won’t need an additional 821 tons this year.”

Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick said they do a sand/salt mix, which extends their supply and their ability to cover and adequately address ice on the streets.

“We are actually sitting pretty good, short of getting another 2½-week spell of ice and snow,” he said. “We should actually be pretty good for the season.

“We feel confident we can address another occasion if we had it.”

Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella said they received another supply of salt on Monday and they are ready to handle anything that might come their way.

“We are good to go,” she said.

Ashley Rittenhouse, public information officer for ODOT District 10, said ODOT’s salt supply is good.

“Overall, ODOT is in good shape when it comes to our salt supply,” she said adding Washington County has ample salt on hand.

Rittenhouse said ODOT has salt barns around the region and crews can shift portions around to where they might be needed most.

“If we need to shift things internally, we can do that,” Rittenhouse said. “We have the ability to transport salt from another facility.”

She is aware of the additional snow that is predicted for the weekend.

“We have the supplies on hand,” she said. “That is something we are constantly monitoring.

“If we do need to transport from one of our facilities to another then we can do so.”

Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher said the city had a shipment of 100 tons that was due on Tuesday.

They have around 150 tons on hand.

“(With a total of 250 tons available) that should be more than enough for a small storm and do multiple passes with straight salt with that amount,” Schlicher said.

They had been running low after treating local roadways following the recent snow and ice storms about three weeks ago.

They used to mix salt and sand, but they are going to discontinue that practice. It leaves a lot of sand on the roads, which Schlicher said becomes hazardous, clogs drains and creates other problems.

“We are going to get away from that and just apply a straight salt application,” he said, adding that is what ODOT and other municipalities are doing.

“It is more expensive, but it is more effective and we feel it is warranted to do it that way,” Schlicher said.

They got a replenishment supply of 300 tons from ODOT and they will replenish that once their supply comes in.

“If it wasn’t for ODOT, we would have definitely been running low,” the mayor said. “It has definitely helped us.

“We are in good shape.”

Williamstown Mayor Paul Jordan and officials with the West Virginia Department of Transportation could not be reached for comment by press time.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com