Main and Fifth streets in Marysville were closed in the early morning hours today as city crews work to clear snow from the Uptown area. Above, crews inch along Main Street using an auger on the front of a bobcat to throw snow into the bed of a dump truck so the snow can be removed.
(Journal Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)
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Many businesses and restaurants were closed Sunday as Union County residents worked to dig themselves out from the weekend’s snow and prepare for today’s sub-zero temperatures.
Brad Gilbert, director of the Union County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), said the weekend went about as well as could be expected.
Gilbert said with all the blowing and drifting, it has been, “difficult to tell the exact amount all around the county.” He said the northern portion of the county, “obviously got more, close to eight inches.” He said central and southern Union County got more rain and about six inches.
“Luckily the freezing rain and wind wasn’t enough to cause any major issues or power outages,” Gilbert said. “There were no real problems other than what’s typical with all snow events.”
Not typical, though, in the early morning hours Sunday, Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton issued a level three snow emergency, closing roadways to non-emergency personnel.
Gilbert said EMA crews provided transportation for 22 “essential personnel” to Memorial Hospital and long-term care facilities in the county.
The level three emergency was downgraded to a level two at about 11:30 a.m. Sunday, and to a level one at about 10:40 p.m. Sunday.
“Crews from Union County, the city, the state, all did a great job once the winds died down, opening things up pretty good,” Gilbert said.
Crews from the Marysville Street Department were on duty this morning in the predawn hours, working to move snow out of the streets.
According to reports from Justin Story, road superintendent with the Union County Engineer’s office, county crews worked 12-hour shifts Saturday and Sunday. The trucks were off the roads at about 6 p.m. Sunday because of, “road salt losing its effectiveness in these conditions.”
Story said all county routes had been plowed and treated.
“All routes still have areas of snow and ice cover with isolated blowing snow,” Story wrote in his report at 6 p.m. Sunday. “Drivers can travel all the routes at reduced speeds and using caution.”
He said when the temperatures dip below zero, it becomes difficult for crews to melt remaining snow and ice.
He said crews will continue to assess the roads and conditions and respond accordingly.
Gilbert said it is “fortunate” today is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
“It keeps a lot of people home. The schools are off so they aren’t walking,” Gilbert said.
He said today’s temperatures make playing outside dangerous for the children.
Gilbert said EMA crews will “remain on standby in case the fire departments have any incidents.”