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According to an opinion by the Ohio Attorney General, the Sheriff of a county may declare an emergency and temporarily close county and township roads. This is usually done after conferring with the County Engineer and the local Emergency Management Agency when weather or other conditions have reached emergency proportions. Township trustees and the Ohio Department of Transportation may also be consulted.

There are three levels of snow emergency classifications:

LEVEL 1: Roadways are hazardous. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously.

LEVEL 2: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. Motorists should use extreme caution.

LEVEL 3: All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest.

The media is immediately notified by the Sheriff whenever an emergency is declared. Motorists are encouraged to monitor the Champaign County Sheriff's web site or local media outlets for initial notifications plus any changes in the designated level of the emergency.

Remember, it is impossible to know the condition of every road in the County. These are only guidelines for the majority of roads in an extreme weather situation. 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 always presume that the road ahead is worse than the stretch of road you are currently on.

Drive safely and use caution in all weather or disaster situations.

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State Route 29 and State Route 4 are designated as emergency snow routes when there is 2” or more of snow. There is NO STREET PARKING on these routes during these snow events. Any cars left on the street will be towed.

Additionally, if you park your car on the street and do not want to dig your car out after a plow has gone by, move it off the street so the plow can get close to the curb.

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Mailboxes are sometimes damaged when plowing occurs. On most occasions, they are knocked down NOT by the plow itself, but by the force of the snow as it is being pushed aside. However, most mailboxes, if sturdy and properly installed, will withstand this force.

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The Village offers this tip for diminishing the impact of your driveway being blocked by snow pushed aside by a plow:

As you clear your driveway of snow, try to pile the snow to the left side as you face your house, specifically when clearing near the road. This will prevent the plow blade from dragging the pile across the front of your driveway.

When clearing your driveway, remember, it is illegal to push snow into the road. Doing so constitutes obstruction of the roadway and can be dangerous to motorists.

Please, do not push snow into the road.

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Motorists are urged to drive wisely and cautiously in all winter weather situations:

• Have your vehicle winterized and store blankets and other supplies in your vehicle in the event that you should become stranded.

• Clear all snow and ice from mirrors, windows, headlights, and taillights before leaving.

• Reduce your speed and leave early, planning your route to avoid steep upgrades and lightly-traveled roads where deep drifts may have formed.

• Drive with your headlights on low beam.

• Use caution on bridges and overpasses, as they freeze more quickly than roadway surfaces.

• Watch for black ice, which is a thin transparent layer of ice on roadways that is extremely slippery and hard to spot.

• For more tips, download the Winter Driving Tips brochure by the Ohio Department of Public Safety.