A Level 2 Roadway Advisory has been issued. All plows are out and will remain out until conditions improve. Click here for the latest snow level information.

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	National Weather Service Warnings	Current Snow Emergency Level
		Snowplow Safety

County & Township Crews Fight Major Winter Storm, 2-7-10

Allen County was hit with an 8-inch snow storm on Friday night and Saturday. Winds from 15 to 25 miles per hour hampered efforts to keep roads open. Thirty-six Allen County and township snow plow crews worked for 12-hours on Saturday and 8 hours on Sunday to clear roads of snowdrifts. A limited night crew worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights on main routes to keep them clear of snow. The Allen County EMA and Homeland Security issued a Level 1 snow emergency for Allen County on Friday evening and then moved to a Level 2 emergency from 6:45 AM Saturday morning until 9:30 AM on Sunday. A level one snow emergency remained in effect until 1:00 PM Sunday.

Efforts to clear the roads of snow were hampered by dozens of vehicles that became stuck in snowdrifts (see photo above) as people ventured out, despite the elevated snow levels issued. One snow plow driver stopped to pull cars out of drifts 18 times during the first two hours of his route. Eleven cars were stuck in a snow drift at Bluelick Road and S.R. 65 and had to be pulled out before the intersection could be cleared. Motorists are advised not to venture out on the roads when snow levels are issued (see explanation of snow levels at the EMA website: http://www.allen-ema.com/weather/snowLevelSummary.php. The presence of stranded vehicles delays the time that snow plows can clear the roads of snow and can endanger the lives of those stranded.

Another winter storm will be moving into our area on Tuesday and Wednesday with additional snow accumulations of 4 - 6 inches. This, along with gusting winds of 15 – 25 miles per hours will make some roads impassable Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. We ask that people stay off the roads Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning allowing our crews to fight the storm and get the roads open again. Check the Allen County Homeland Security and EMA website: http://www.allen-ema.com for updated posting of snow levels and weather advisories.

Allen County Snow Removal Operations

The Allen County Engineer sends out 16 trucks with snowplows and salt spreaders every time there is a significant snowfall. The twelve townships in Allen County also send out an additional 16 trucks. Combined, the county and townships plow 1734 lane miles of roadway, which is the distance from Lima, Ohio to Salt Lake City, Utah. On a normal snowstorm, the roads are plowed out within five hours. On the average, the county engineer spends $132,000 for 3400 tons of salt and $12,000 for 2700 tons of grits (small gravel). His crews expend 3115 hours of overtime during a normal winter.

The Allen County Engineer's Policy regarding the replacement of mailboxes and/or mailbox supports damaged due to snowplow operations is as follows:

If the snowplow actually hits the mailbox and the mailbox is installed according to Allen County Standards, it will be replaced with a standard metal mailbox and wooden post. Mailboxes that are damaged due to snow, ice and/or slush hitting them during plowing operations will not be replaced. If the mailbox is not installed according to Allen County Standards, it will not be replaced. Plastic mailboxes become very brittle in the winter and usually will not survive being hit by snow, ice and/or slush from snowplows. This office does not recommend the use of plastic mailboxes and/or supports. For mailbox material and placement details, click on the following links:

MAIL-1: Mailbox Standards

MAIL-2: Mailbox Detail

Allen County Crews Repair Ridge Road Flagstone Arch, 1-4-10

Allen County Crews were busy in December repairing the flagstone arch on Ridge Road just west of Defiance Trail. The southeast wingwall had settled and was leaning away from the roadway.