A car carefully moves down Race Street on Tuesday morning after an overnight snow dumped several inches on Parkersburg and surrounding areas. (Photo by Art Smith)

PARKERSBURG — Communities across the Mid-Ohio Valley were greeted with a flurry of freshly piled snow Tuesday morning.

With multiple county schools closed for the day and a winter weather advisory lasting until the early afternoon, the usual morning commute looked a little different for most.

The snowfall presented challenges for first responders and transportation personnel but despite the hazardous conditions, weather-related incidents were handled with no reported fatalities.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office publicly thanked all local first responders and the Department of Highways for their efforts in responding to calls and clearing any accidents.

Wood County Sheriff Rick Woodyard said, as of Tuesday afternoon, there were 28 reported accidents with 24 of those resulting in minor damage. There were four personal injuries as a result of roadway incidents but no serious injuries or fatalities, according to Woodyard.

A lone walker shares Parkersburg’s City Park with his dog after an overnight snow blanketed the area with several inches. (Photo by Art Smith)

“We had one road closure for about 15-20 minutes between route 50 and 47 on the southbound lane,” he said.

Road conditions between 5-6 a.m. were reportedly hazardous before plows could clear away snow.

Woodyard said there was a right lane closure southbound on Interstate 77 at mile marker 164 for an accident involving a semi that went off the roadway. He said the accident occurred early in the morning and the lane closure would be expected to resolve once the debris was cleared and the area was safe.

Due to the presence of workers and law enforcement at the scene, drivers are required to slow down to the marked 50 mph and merge away from the accident to ensure working personnel are safe.

“There’s been officers out there to make sure people are slowing down and they’ve been issuing citations for anyone who doesn’t comply,” said Woodyard. “Vehicles weren’t merging correctly and giving the emergency vehicles the right of way, people continued to speed so it’s important people slow down for the safety of the first responders.”

The snow-covered limbs of a tree along Front Street in Marietta contrast with the bricks of a nearby business in the 100 block of the street. (Photo by Art Smith)

Woodyard said there were multiple fire departments and first responders who arrived at various accidents and quickly cleared any roadways for safety.

Early Tuesday morning, Washington County Sheriff Mark Warden called for a level two snow emergency which meant roadways were hazardous and individuals should only drive if necessary.

A couple of hours later, he downgraded the snow level emergency from a 2 to a 1 as more and more of the roadways were cleared of snow. Roadways continued to be hazardous throughout the day with blowing and drifting snow.

“We didn’t have any road closures, there were no accidents but a few cars had driven off the road due to the slush from the snow,” said Warden.

By late Tuesday afternoon, he said there were no crashes reported and state and county first responders did a wonderful job clearing the snow.

Tom Schaad uses a small snow blower to remove snow from in front of his Bellevue Street on Tuesday morning following an overnight snowfall. (Photo by Art Smith)

“There was no reported damage,” he said.

In case of inclement weather, check the local weather services for more up to date information about weather emergencies and driving conditions.

According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, today’s forecast is mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 37. There is a 20% chance of snow tonight after 1 a.m. with a low around 23.

Thursday’s forecast continues the 20% chance of snow before 1 p.m. then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 34 and a low around 15 Thursday night.

There is also a slight chance of snow Friday, followed by slight chance of rain and snow and high around 36.

A small tractor with a rotating brush is used Tuesday morning to sweep snow off the sidewalk along Muskingum Park in Marietta. (Photo by Art Smith)

A heavy wet snow covers the branches of trees along Front Street near Butler Street on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Art Smith)