“Why was there no Level 3 snow emergency in Richland County today.”
RICHLAND COUNTY — It’s not like Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon has never issued a Level 3 snow emergency.
Now two years into his sixth term in office, Sheldon called a Level 3 during a winter storm on Feb. 3, 2022.
That was the first time in his tenure as sheriff that Sheldon declared a Level 3, likely the first time in the county since the system began in 1994.
Responding to questions from Richland Source on Sunday evening, the longest-tenured sheriff in Richland County history said he believes “people and businesses should make their own decision.”
“I have always been very reluctant to tell people what they can or cannot do. In reality, there is not much difference between a Level Two and a Level Three,” Sheldon said.
Winter Storm Fern dumped about 10 inches of snow on Richland County, starting in the pre-dawn hours.
Here are the definitions for different snow emergency levels:
LEVEL 1: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads also may be icy. Motorists are urged to drive with caution.
LEVEL 2: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads also may 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 be subject to arrest.
Some counties, including Knox, Morrow and Crawford opted for Level Three snow emergencies on Sunday. Others, including Richland, Ashland and Wayne, remained at a Level Two.
Richland County remained under a Level Two on Sunday evening.
Sheldon said he didn’t see a need to order people from the roads on Sunday.
“I worked today and drove around and observed that most of the major streets were fairly clear. I believe all of the road crews are doing a fantastic job and are keeping the streets as clear as possible,” he said.
“Some of the side streets are not being cleared. There was not that much traffic out today as I believe most people were staying inside and a lot of businesses that are normally opened on Sunday were closed,” Sheldon said.
The sheriff said he doesn’t make snow emergency level decisions on his own.
“When making a decision as to what level to go to, I speak to my officers that are working on the street, as well as Major Jim Sweat, Captain Brian Gunder, the county EMA director (Sarah Potes) and the Richland County Engineer (Adam Gove),” he said.
“I had conversation with all of those people today,” the sheriff said.
Though he never issued a Level Three, the sheriff urged people to use caution in deciding to venture onto the streets.
“I feel that people and businesses should make their own decisions as to what is best for them. I would suggest that people only go out if they find it is necessary for them to do so,” he said.
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