Snow, ice create difficulties across Mid-Ohio Valley
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PARKERSBURG -- With temperatures well below freezing over the weekend and into Monday, the Mid-Ohio Valley remained dusted in snow and ice.
Schools were cancelled and snow advisories were in place over the course of multiple days.
Washington County Sheriff Mark Warden said around 2:10 a.m. Sunday he authorized a level three snow emergency and said it remained at that level until roadways had been tended to.
According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, a level three snow emergency stated all roadways were closed for non-emergency personnel. He downgraded to a level two about five hours later Sunday morning.
By 5 a.m. Monday, he downgraded the snow emergency to a level one.
"The crew did one heck of a job," said Warden.
He said he wasn't aware of any major road closures or accidents in the county Monday. He said there were a few incidents with vehicles experiencing mechanical difficulties along roadways.
"The temperature was really the problem on Monday," he said.
Temperatures on Monday reached as low as 3 degrees with -8 wind chill in the early morning according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.
Residents in Wood County experienced similar difficulties with vehicular complications along the roadways.
"The majority of our calls were for roadside motor assistance," said Wood County Sheriff Rick Woodyard.
He said there were no major accidents or road closures reported Monday. Woodyard said even though roadways have been cleared, it's imperative to pay attention while driving on secondary roads and exits and on ramps due to ice.
"Be extra careful and drive cautiously even if you have four-wheel drive," he said. "Just because you have four-wheel drive doesn't mean you won't slide on the ice."
Woodyard said the colder temperatures can affect various parts on a vehicle so make sure to conduct routine checks and keep an eye on the tire pressures.
Marietta City Schools Board of Education postponed its regular meeting Monday night with the reschedule date to be determined.
Belpre's Christmas Crawl was cut short due to inclement weather Saturday with some of the events postponed until a later date. The Christmas Crawl began around 8 a.m. with festive events scheduled until 9 p.m. but were cut short as a result of worsening weather.
Organizer Carrie Arnold said they kept an eye on the weather and canceled the remaining events around 4 p.m. Saturday.
"We were so sad to cancel because the parade meant so much to the community and it really puts you in the Christmas spirit," she said. "But it was best to get everyone home safe and warm."
The parade, ugly sweater contest, trolley rides, holiday movie, and Christmas caroling were the events that had been canceled. Arnold said this was the first Christmas Crawl in Belpre and despite the weather and cancellations, it was very successful.
She said vendors and event goers had inquired about whether the event would happen or not due to the forecast predications. Arnold said they paid attention to the weather and aimed to shut down the event around midafternoon.
"We tried to hold off as long as possible but by 4 p.m. it was really coming down," she said.
Many of the vendors and event personnel had a longer commute and she said a lot of people were heading out around 2 p.m.
Arnold said they're expecting to have the parade Saturday evening with some of the events scheduled for Sunday but weren't finalized by print deadline. The event schedule will be confirmed later in the week.
For more up-to-date information about the Christmas Crawl, visit tinyurl.com/mwd3and2
Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com