With snow in the forecast , it’s a good time to brush up on what it means when counties and communities in Ohio and Northern Kentucky issue travel advisories or snow emergencies.
Under Ohio Law, sheriffs monitor snow conditions and declare snow emergencies when it has been determined that the use of highways and roadways by motorists is a threat to maintaining public peace.
In Kentucky, the county government makes the call, but cities can also declare emergencies.
Cities, villages and townships can also declare snow emergencies, requiring cars to be moved off streets.
These are only guidelines for the majority of roads in extreme weather situations. For example, if the advisory level is set at 1, there may be secondary roads that have deteriorated to a level 2 or even a level 3 condition. If snow is present, a good rule of thumb is to presume that the road ahead is worse than the stretch of road you are currently on.
What do the snow emergency levels mean?
Definitions for snow emergencies can vary by state and county, but here are the basics: