(Photo Illustration/MetroCreative)

MARIETTA — Crews in southeastern Ohio are preparing for the coming storm as the National Weather Service is predicting, heavy snow, dangerous wind chills and strong winds leading into the weekend for Washington County.

“This is potentially the most significant snow event this winter,” Public Information Officer for ODOT District 10 Ashley Rittenhouse said.

Rittenhouse said crews would be reporting at midnight in Washington County and would be working 12-hour shifts to help clear the roadways. She said since there was salt on the roads already there was no need to pretreat them in preparation for the coming snow but said that there is 46,000 tons of salt on hand for District 10 with 6,300 tons in Washington County alone.

Rittenhouse advised people to stay at home if they can but if they need to venture out to give themselves extra time to reach their destination and to give crews the space they need to work.

“We’ve had nine plow trucks struck already this year in Ohio,” Rittenhouse said. “These accidents could be avoided if drivers give us space.”

In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice declared a State of Emergency for all 55 counties Thursday afternoon ahead of the storm.

“All West Virginians need to absolutely be ready for the potential impact this winter storm may bring to our state,” Justice said. “West Virginians should pay extra close attention to emergency officials and media outlets and be prepared if there are power outages. West Virginians take care of one another, so make sure you check on your neighbors and loved ones, too.”

Emergency Management Division Director G.E. McCabe said the agency “is in close contact with local offices of emergency management, state and federal partners and utility company representatives to assist and respond when help is needed.”

The National Weather Service forecast for Parkersburg was calling for a 30% chance of snow Thursday afternoon, with the odds increasing to 90% overnight. Accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is predicted by 10 a.m. Friday, with additional snow and another half-inch of accumulation possible Friday evening.