COLUMBUS, Ohio – Many Ohio schools are closed or delayed again as central Ohio continues to dig out from the latest major snow storm as forecasters warn of more snow to come and the supplies of salt needed to keep roads passable dwindle.
A Wind Chill Advisory has been issued for Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Madison and Union counties from 8:00 p.m. Thursday until 11:00 a.m. Friday with readings of -10 to -21 possible.
Commuters were being warned Thursday that plow crews haven’t gotten to many secondary streets and lots of slick spots remain on roadways. Blowing snow and drifts seem to the big concern in the rural counties that surround Franklin County, according to Ohio Department of Transportation spokeswoman Nancy Burton. Because of bitterly cold temperatures, she says drivers should stay alert for black ice.
Many of the school closings were in the Columbus area, which saw more than 10 inches of snow, followed by freezing rain Wednesday. The Columbus City Schools and South Western City Schools – the area’s largest districts – both canceled classes Thursday because side streets and sidewalks in many neighborhoods were still snow- and ice-covered and slippery.
Plows hadn’t gotten to many side streets in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, and large drifts and piles of snow from plowing were causing traffic problems.
More snow is possible this weekend.
Local governments in Ohio might get some help soon replenishing their dwindling road salt supplies.
The snow started early in Ohio and hasn’t stopped yet, leading to a shortage of salt for treating roads. ODOT is nearing its purchasing limit on four contracts negotiated last summer with suppliers to provide the salt for the state and for local governments.
Now, the Columbus Dispatch reports the state is trying to negotiate new deals, asking salt companies to bid on a set of new contracts that could make an additional 150,000 tons available to local governments across the state.
The new supplies could reach salt barns across the state within two weeks.