The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has issued a level 3 snow emergency in response to heavy snowfall and hazardous driving conditions in the wake of a severe winter storm.
The snow emergency means that roads are closed to all drivers except for emergency personnel. It began at 6 p.m.
Drivers risk being cited if traveling during a level 3 snow emergency, although deputies will exercise their best judgment if they encounter those who shouldn’t be on the road, said Kyla Woods, a sheriff’s office spokeswoman.
Officials say the designation will allow road crews the time and space to prepare roads for safe travel.
“No one should be driving unless it is a personal emergency,” a sheriff’s office alert states.
Snow emergency levels in counties
As of 6:45 p.m., snow emergency levels in local counties:
What is a level 3 snow emergency?
What is a level 2 snow emergency?
What is a level 1 snow emergency?
How much snow is Cincinnati supposed to get?
As the winter storm moves out of the Cincinnati region from west to east Sunday evening, the National Weather Service says another 2 to 3 inches of snow lies ahead.
The latest forecast from the weather service has parts of Hamilton County receiving the higher end of that range. Southern areas of the region, including Boone County in Kentucky, will likely see 1 to 2 inches of snow.
Cincinnati was forecast early Sunday morning to receive about 12.8 inches of snow total.
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Enquirer staff writer David Ferrara contributed.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton County drivers risk citation if out in level 3 snow emergency
Reporting by Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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