MANSFIELD — Schools closed, vaccination clinics were rescheduled, and various departments, services and businesses were closed Tuesday as the community was blasted by a significant winter storm.
Richland, Ashland and Knox County were under a Level 2 Snow Emergency, while Crawford County was placed under a Level 3 Snow Emergency. Richland County downgraded to a Level 1 Snow Emergency just after noon on Tuesday. Crawford County also downgraded to a Level 1 just after noon.
A Level 2 Snow Emergency means roads are hazardous due to 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.
A Level 3 Snow Emergency means all roads 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.
In Richland County, all nine branch locations of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library closed on Tuesday.
All jurors scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 16, in Judge Phillip Naumoff’s courtroom, were advised not to report as scheduled, due to inclement weather.
Instead, the Richland County Common Pleas Court judge announced Monday night, jurors should call the juror number provided to them after 5 p.m. on Tuesday to see if they are needed for Wednesday, Feb. 17.
The Richland County Treasurer’s Office and Richland County Landbank were closed.
In Crawford County, the Galion City Health Department is closed. It plans to reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
In Ashland County, all clinics for Tuesday, Feb. 16 at the Ashland County Health Department have been moved to Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the same time.
All departments of the health department will be handled remotely to keep the team safe in this storm. Please plan any in person requests to later in the week.
Keeping our tier 1B vaccine recipients safe, is our primary goal, the department stated. If you are reading this please pass on in every way possible to keep our community safe.
In addition, the Ashland Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse is closed on Tuesday.
Snow continued to fall Tuesday morning and more snow was forecast for Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
Today there is a 20-percent chance of snow showers before 4 p.m. It will be cloudy, with a high near 18 and west winds will reach 10 to 13 mph.
Tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 0 and a west wind of 3 to 8 mph.
Wednesday should be partly sunny, with a high near 19. The wind chill values will be as low as zero. Snow showers are expected Wednesday night after 1 a.m. It will be cloudy, with a low around 15. The chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.
On Thursday, snow showers are expected with a high near 28. The chance of precipitation is 80% and a new snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible. Thursday night more snow showers are likely, mainly before 1 a.m. It will be cloudy, with a low around 18. The chance of precipitation is 70% with a new snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
