Snow Emergency Levels Explained

County sheriffs could be issuing snow emergencies if the weather takes a turn for the worse, and it’s important to understand what the different levels mean.

Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said a level one emergency indicates that roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow.  Under a level two, only those who feel it necessary to drive should be on the roads.  If the sheriff’s office issues a level three emergency, all roads are closed to non-emergency personnel, but Lutz said it’s more of a case-by-case situation.

"If we’ve got an emergency room nurse that’s trying to get to work, and we’re on a level three, we don’t want them thinking that they’re going to get in trouble by going to work when they’re needed there," said Lutz.  "If we’ve got somebody that’s going to the grocery store and wrecks their car under a level three, they’re probably going to get a ticket."

Lutz said school districts take the guidelines into consideration when making the call to close or open late.

"We have a lot of contact with the schools," said Lutz.  "We will talk to them, and they will call in and ask us what the weather looks like and what we’re planning on doing.  Obviously the schools have safety as the first thing in mind as well as we do."