Effective at 2:45 a.m. Sunday, Preble County (Ohio) Sheriff Mike Simpson has issued a LEVEL 3 SNOW EMERGENCY for Preble County.
A level three snow advisory means that ALL roadways are CLOSED to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during this condition unless it is absolutely necessary, or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Anyone traveling on the roads may be subject themselves to arrest.
Numerous roads throughout Preble County are drifted shut and impassable. State, county and township crews will work to open roadways as quickly as possible. High winds have caused drifting of snow on roadways to the point that many are impassable.
As of 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, Fayette and Union counties have declared a Level 3 snow warnings, restricting travel until further notice.
Level 3 is the highest level of local travel advisory, which means that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only.
During a “warning” local travel advisory, individuals are directed to:
(A) refrain from all travel;
(B) comply with necessary emergency measures;
(C) cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans; and
(D) obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers
About an hour earlier, Fayette County 9-1-1 shared on social media, “The roads in Fayette County are slick and hazardous. There have been numerous slide-offs. Please avoid travel.”
Randolph County is still on a Level 2 watch.
Randolph County Homeland Security Emergency Management said residents are asking why the county is not on a travel warning (Level 3).
“Because to go to the travel warning or level three as you’re calling it is saying we are in a disaster. It requires the signature of a Commissioner and the filing with the Clerk of Randolph County Courts. It also says we are unable to sustain our own operations and are needing the help of the State or Federal government. We are not there, we do not need the assistance of the State or Federal government.
Think back to the 2005 storm, that was a clear and shining example of a disaster and warranted the travel warning.”
Four hours ago, 3,677 customers were out of electricity in Randolph County, and one nursing home was known to be affected.