ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — With the first major snowfall of the season ongoing and Athens County still under a Level Three snow emergency, here’s what to know about keeping yourself and others safe.
The forecast
As of 9:34 a.m. on Monday, the National Weather Service advised that Athens County would continue to see snow and ice accumulation throughout the day. Total snow accumulation was expected to reach eight to 12 inches, with trace additional ice.
A winter storm warning remains in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday morning.
In addition to snow, the week’s forecast predicts daytime highs in the mid- to high 20s and nighttime lows in the teens and single digits.
Travel remains restricted
According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, the county remained under a Level Three snow emergency as of noon on Monday. That means roadways are closed to everyone except emergency personnel, with only essential or emergency travel.
For updates, check the Athens County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page; the most recent post will reflect the current snow emergency level. To get alerts as there are updates, sign up for Athens County HyperReach, a text, email, and phone notification service.
Warming stations available
The Athens County Emergency Management Agency announced on Facebook that several warming stations are available, should residents need them. To access a warming station, residents should call the Athens County EMA, said Director Theresa Fouts-Imler.
Residents may contact the Athens County EMA at 740-592-3276 or 740-612-9000.
In the city of Athens, the Lutheran Church at 69 Mill St. is open as a 24-hour warming station.
Additionally, in the event of a power outage, the Athens Community Center, Albany Fire Department, the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Department, Nelsonville City Hall, and the Coolville Volunteer Fire Department will all be available as warming stations. Fouts-Imler told the Independent these locations have backup generators at the ready.
Fouts-Imler told the Independent that in the event of a power outage that lasted more than 24 hours, the American Red Cross would step in to support relief efforts in the county.
She said the EMA had not yet received any reports of power outages.
The following locations are available as warming stations as long as they have the power to operate: the Chauncey Fire Department; the Richland Fire Department; the Rome Township Fire Department; the Glouster Church of Christ; Glouster Village Hall; and the York Township Fire Department.
Locations of warming stations also are shown on AEP Ohio’s outage map.
Athens County EMA Director Theresa Fouts-Imler, who also directs Athens County 911, told the Independent that as of mid-day Monday the office had not received any requests for warming support.
“We are ready to facilitate whatever we need to do for the citizens,” Fouts-Imler added.
Residents needing transportation to access warming stations should call the Athens County EMA. Because of the snow emergency, Fouts-Imler said the EMA would likely work with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office to transport those who request support.
Though Fouts-Imler said transportation support “could be tricky,” she added, “I’ve been here 27 years, and I don’t think that there’s anything that we can’t make happen for our community.”
Check on your neighbors
Though Fouts-Imler said the EMA had not yet received requests for support, she stressed that the most important thing residents can do during the snow emergency is care for those around them.
“Everybody just needs to watch out for their neighbor,” Fouts-Imler said. “If [you] know somebody that’s elderly and they live alone, go check on them if [you] can. Just be vigilant, and pay attention to what’s going on in your communities and your neighborhoods.”
That includes pets!
The Athens County Dog Shelter encouraged residents in a Facebook post to bring outdoor dogs into a garage or a heated area, and to ensure pets have the shelter, water and food that they need, noting that pets need extra calories to make it through the cold.
The shelter also encouraged owners of outdoor pets to provide straw for warming. The shelter stressed that blankets, carpet and hay are not good options to keep pets warm.
Other local services to access or support
Fouts-Imler said that the region’s United Way could be an important support service for area residents in the cold, specifically referencing support with propane delivery. She encouraged residents in need to contact the agency’s 2-1-1 support line.
Organizations working to provide longer term support to residents who need housing and shelter include the Gathering Place and the Athens County Foundation, which operates a housing security fund. For residents looking to support longer term area relief efforts, both the Gathering Place and ACF’s housing security fund accept donations.
Residents looking to support immediate warming relief may consider supporting the Lutheran Church in Athens, Fouts-Imler said. According to the Athens County EMA Facebook post, the church was seeking donations of bedding, coats, hand warmers and similar items to support its warming station. Donors were encouraged to bring items to the church at 69 Mill Street.
Enjoy it!
Winter weather like this week’s storm is becoming increasingly rare in the region due to climate change, according to an article in The Conversation.
So, the Independent’s advice to readers (in addition to checking on your neighbors): Make sure to enjoy it. That might include taking the kids sledding at the hill out back, or taking a few minutes to gaze out the window at the winter wonderland. This doesn’t happen every day – or even, these days, every year.
