Whitley County's Level 1 'until further notice,' residents urged to stay home until at least Thursday morning
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
With much consideration, Whitley County officials have determined in the interest of public safety, they will continue to keep the county under a Level 1 (Red) Snow Emergency "until further notice."
"Whitley County has elected to keep the Level 1 snow emergency in effect for tonight," said Commissioner Don Amber this afternoon after surveying the road situation around the county.
"At 5 a.m. our plows will take to the county roads and by 7 a.m. we will let everyone know if we drop to "orange" or Level 2," Amber said. "I feel comfortable saying that if you need to be at work before 7 a.m. and you can drive state roads you are free to do so."
Still, Amber urges caution.
"Please stay off of the county roads tonight and please ask your family members to do the same. Please, please do not go joy riding in the country tonight," Amber said. "Last night we had over 30 vehicles stuck and for the most part because they wanted to see how bad the roads were. THEY ARE BAD!!!"
Not only are stranded vehicles along the roadside a problem for road crews trying to clear the snow, but they're a problem for emergency vehicles as well.
"Clogging up a road due to joy riding might mean the difference between EMS saving a life or not, same for the fire service," Amber emphasized.
Amber said the county has no control over what local schools decide to do tomorrow with regards to delays or school closings for Thursday.
Amber also reminded residents to only travel tonight if absolutely necessary and to remember that if their vehicle becomes stranded, local emergency officials do not currently have the ability to come to their aid. Additionally, local snow plow drivers will be at home with their families resting for the remainder of the evening and will only be dispatched to respond to true police, fire or EMS-related emergencies.
According to Whitley County's emergency management director Cathy Broxon-Ball, "At this time the Whitley County Government offices will be open on Thursday February 3, 2011
"Primary roadways have been plowed but are narrow and drifting shut in places," added Broxon-Ball. "Caution should be taken when traveling and we are asking that emergency travel only at this time."
With much consideration, Whitley County officials have determined in the interest of public safety, they will continue to keep the county under a Level 1 (Red) Snow Emergency "until further notice."
"Whitley County has elected to keep the Level 1 snow emergency in effect for tonight," said Commissioner Don Amber this afternoon after surveying the road situation around the county.
"At 5 a.m. our plows will take to the county roads and by 7 a.m. we will let everyone know if we drop to "orange" or Level 2," Amber said. "I feel comfortable saying that if you need to be at work before 7 a.m. and you can drive state roads you are free to do so."
Still, Amber urges caution.
"Please stay off of the county roads tonight and please ask your family members to do the same. Please, please do not go joy riding in the country tonight," Amber said. "Last night we had over 30 vehicles stuck and for the most part because they wanted to see how bad the roads were. THEY ARE BAD!!!"
Not only are stranded vehicles along the roadside a problem for road crews trying to clear the snow, but they're a problem for emergency vehicles as well.
"Clogging up a road due to joy riding might mean the difference between EMS saving a life or not, same for the fire service," Amber emphasized.
Amber said the county has no control over what local schools decide to do tomorrow with regards to delays or school closings for Thursday.
Amber also reminded residents to only travel tonight if absolutely necessary and to remember that if their vehicle becomes stranded, local emergency officials do not currently have the ability to come to their aid. Additionally, local snow plow drivers will be at home with their families resting for the remainder of the evening and will only be dispatched to respond to true police, fire or EMS-related emergencies.
According to Whitley County's emergency management director Cathy Broxon-Ball, "At this time the Whitley County Government offices will be open on Thursday February 3, 2011
"Primary roadways have been plowed but are narrow and drifting shut in places," added Broxon-Ball. "Caution should be taken when traveling and we are asking that emergency travel only at this time."