Snow’s arrival brings slick roads, squeals from kids
The first significant winter weather of the year slowed traffic throughout central Ohio, sent more than a few vehicles into ditches and prompted area counties to declare snow emergencies, urging drivers to be cautious or stay off the roads, if they could help it.
But as of Saturday evening, there were no major injuries reported in Columbus as a result of the accumulations, which were expected to top half a foot in places.
“Nothing of significance other than a couple of rollovers — mostly cars going a little too fast,” said Franklin County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Marc Gofstein, noting that deputies had dealt with more than 30 vehicle crashes between noon and sunset Saturday.
The results weren’t too out of the ordinary for the first major snowfall of the season, with drivers still getting used to maneuvering on slippery roads.
“The big thing we need to stress is it’s snow time, so be very careful, especially with any possible patches of ice,” Gofstein said.
By late Saturday afternoon, deputies and Columbus Police officers were responding only to noninjury collisions. Traffic was slow but steady on area roads, with 1,170 Ohio Department of Transportation snowplows out in force across the state, said ODOT spokesman Matt Bruning.
More than 100 of those were focusing their attention on Columbus and central Ohio, with clearing to continue overnight as snow showers were expected to taper off.
“The good thing about the snow being slow but steady, it’s allowing all of the trucks to get around and keep roadways clear,” Gofstein said.
Snow began to fall in central Ohio between 7 and 8 a.m, and flurries picked up pace through the day Saturday, with heavier bands along the Interstate 70 corridor from Dayton to Columbus and whiteouts in places.
By early Saturday evening, Franklin and all surrounding central Ohio counties had issued Level 1 snow emergencies, noting blowing snow and icy conditions. Some counties, including Hocking and Pickaway, later shifted to Level 2 emergencies as snow continued.
The Hocking Hills Visitor Center closed early because of the conditions.
A winter weather advisory was to remain in effect until Sunday morning, with the National Weather Service in Wilmington projecting 4-5 inches or more total accumulation in the Columbus area and 6-7 inches possible in areas to the west and south.
Ol’ Man Winter’s arrival didn’t just create havoc around central Ohio; he also brought some squeals of delight and lots of joy for some.
Matt and Kristen Vollrath were excited to give their young daughter, Nora, her first snow experience. She helped dad clear snow around their house in the morning, then the family headed from their home in Columbus’ Eastmoor neighborhood to Bexley’s Jeffrey Park for some sledding.
“We’re excited,” Kristen Vollrath said as they approached the sled hill near Jeffrey Mansion. “It’s fun. She’s 2, so it’s the first time she’s gotten to play in the snow.”
Nora lasted about 10 minutes, but for the record, she got in her first-ever downhill run on her red plastic sled.
Also at Jeffrey Park was 9-year-old Julia Atkins. She had been raring to go sledding all morning, but her dad, Chris, told her it would be better if they waited. So a little after noon they were out on the park’s hill, where tree trunks are shielded by stuffed black plastic bags. Was she having a blast?
“If I hit a black bag, it’s a yes,” Julia said. “If I don’t, it’s a yes.”
She veered into a bag. “It’s a yes!” she yelled.
hzachariah@dispatch.com @hollyzachariah dcaruso@dispatch.com @Dougcaruso mkovac@dispatch.com @Ohiocapitalblog