LIMA — As a massive winter storm approaches the Northwest Ohio region, local officials are urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary due to heavy snow, the possibility of dangerous whiteout and high wind conditions.
Cheri Newton, the public information officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 1, said residents who do not need to travel from Wednesday through Friday should just stay home and stay safe.
“This is going to be a big storm, it’ll go into Thursday or Friday. It will be a long one,” Newton said. “Stay home if you can; conditions will be bad. If you do have to go out, you’ll want to make sure you have a full tank of gas, snacks and water and a shovel. Go slow, be cognizant of the plows.”
Metereologists at the National Weather Service Office in Syracuse, Indiana, are predicting a storm of long duration for Wednesday through Thursday with cold weather following on Friday.
The storm is predicted to hit in two rounds with Lima receiving more than 5 inches the first round and around 8 inches falling in the second round. Preceeding the snow will be light rains and for a time a wintry mix.
Allen County Road Superintendent Darren Leis said in preparation for the storm, county workers have checked equipment and will be running Wednesday and adding extra crew members for the evening and have a full complement of snow plow drivers on Thursday.
“(Residents should) expect the unexpected,” Leis said. “Give room for the equipment for at times it can be hard to see.”
According to a press release, officials in Auglaize County is predicted to receive 6 to 12 inches of snow with one-tenth of an inch of ice.
Like many metereologists across the nation have already warned, Newton said the storm is expected to begin with a rainy Tuesday night followed by snow hitting the Lima region around noon on Wednesday. At least 10 inches of powder is predicted, along with winds ranging from 20 to 30 mph and whiteout visibility problems.
“The visibility is not going to be good,” she added.
Locally, officials with the city of Lima issued a press release describing snow storm regulations and requirements within city limits.
Among the warnings in the release were reminders to park motor vehicles off of the street if possible; not plowing snow from a driveway into a street; and to maintain a safe distance behind snow plows and never attempt to pass one/
Lima city law mandates that any time the community receives more than 4 inches of snow, all motor vehicle owners are required to park on alternate sides of the streets — using the even addressed side of a street on even numbered calendar days and the odd-address number side of the street on odd numbered calendar days.
The Lima Public Works press release also warned residents that failure to comply may result in fines or vehicle impound.
The Allen County sheriff has the power to declare a snow emergency and temporarily close state roads and municipal streets within his jurisdiction when such actions are necessary.
Local schools are also preparing for the impending weather.
Allen East Local Schools Superintendent Mel Rentschler says that teachers have been notified to place assignments online for students to complete if unable to attend school. Utilizing online learning allows the school to use the days for instruction instead of accumulating hazard days that must be made up if too many days are missed, Rentschler added.
For weather updates, check online at www.limaohio.com or our social media pages.
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