Muskingum County Sheriff Explains Snow Emergencies and Gives Winter Weather Driving Tips

As it’s beginning to feel a lot like the Christmas season, it’s important to prepare for winter weather.

If the weather outside gets frightful and the roads get dangerous, the county sheriff might declare a snow emergency to help keep the community safe, and to let people know the situations on the roads.

It is important to know the differences between the three emergency levels. In a level one snow emergency, drivers are urged to drive very cautiously. In a level two, only necessary travel is recommended. And in a level three, it is recommended to stay off of the roads unless absolutely necessary, like in the case of an emergency.

“The level one is just the start of the storm. When it snows and the roads get covered, that’s what we go to. And then as the roads get bad, cars start sliding, we start having accidents, we start seeing a lot more buildup of snow, we’ll go to the level two. And then level three is when it’s very hard to travel on the roadways and that’s why we make it an emergency type situation.” Muskingum County Sheriff, Matt Lutz said.

It’s also important to have a plan in case of an emergancy on the road. Keeping water and blankets in your car, driving slow, and making sure your vehicle is in good shape all plays a part in having a safe trip in winter weather.

“You want to have a plan about where you’re going, have water in your car, have blankets in your car. Let somebody know where you’re going and what time you’re coming back.” Lutz said.

For more information on snow emergencies, visit the link below.

Snow Emergency Level – Muskingum County – Sheriff’s Office (ohiomuskingumsheriff.org)