Bluffton snow plows hit the streets at 3 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31, according to Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator. He told The Icon that three village vehicles are plowing streets.
"I anticipate that the village crews will stop plowing sometime today where there is a lull in the storm," he said. "Then they will be back on the streets by evening."
According to Guy Verhoff, Pandora weather observer, the Pandora-Bluffton area received 2.6 inches of snow on Jan. 31. For the month, the area received a whopping 16 inches of snow. For the January weather summary click here.
In addition to the village crew Mehaffie said that two Bluffton Stone Co. trucks are on call. To view a video of snow removal on East College click here.
J & D Snyder removed snow from the downtown starting about 2 a.m. (Monday), according to Mehaffie. The village has a contract with J & D Snyder for downtown snow removal.
To answer the question: "Where does all that snow go?" the answer is: "the the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool parking lot. Mt. Bluffton is forming on the pool parking area today.
Bluffton enters a snow emergency when the village experiences 2 or more inches of snow.
Under a snow emergency: All vehicles parked on the public roadways must be parked on the side of the street that corresponds with the calendar day of the week (i.e. parked on the housed-numbered odd side of the street on odd calendar days and house-numbered even side of the street on even calendar days).
For example:
- Feb. 1 - park on side of street with odd house numbers
- Feb. 2 - park on side of street with even house numbers
Police officers will assist road crews with notification to remove illegally parked cars, however some vehicles may be towed at the owner's expense even if the owner cannot be contacted.
Snow plows will be pushing snow as far off the driving lane as possible, which will be as close to the curb as they can get. Recognizing that some sidewalks are immediately adjacent to the curb, the sidewalk clearing ordinance will be temporarily suspended on those streets only.
Forecast information
The snow predictions from several weather forecasting sites hit their targets today. With Bluffton's schools cancelled Tuesday weather warnings continue to be announced.
The Icon suggests these Internet weather sites to watch for more information as the week progresses:
www.weather.com
www.accuweather.com
http://www.weather.gov/
From the Accuweather
A winter storm warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. EST Wednesday. After a short full in activity this morning, snow will expand in coverage and intensity this afternoon.
Snow will mix with or change to freezing rain and sleet tonight into Wednesday morning. Snow will continue into Wednesday afternoon, ending Wednesday evening.
The main impact of heavy snow and sleet will be accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, expected this afternoon through Wednesday.
If precipitation changes to freezing rain or sleet much lower snowfall amounts would be expected but significant icing would be possible with extended power outages
From weather.com
Today
A light mix of wintry precipitation this morning. Then periods of snow expected this afternoon. Some icing possible. High 23F. Winds NE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precip 80%. 2 to 4 inches of snow expected.
Tonight
Windy with a mixture of frozen precipitation. Some icing possible. Low 21F. Winds NE at 20 to 30 mph. Snow and ice accumulating around one inch.
Wednesday
Snow during the morning will give way to lingering snow showers during the afternoon. High 26F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulating 2 to 4 inches.
