COLUMBUS, OH = Businesses, Schools Prep For Snow, Arctic Blast

http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/article/businesses_schools_prep_for_snow_arctic_blast/11753/

By Denise Yost
Managing Editor, nbc4i.com
Published: January 13, 2009

CENTRAL OHIO—As snow fell Tuesday, Central Ohio residents prepared for an arctic blast later in the week.

Tuesday’s snowfall was familiar for residents in Knox County, where Storm Team 4 meteorologist Jym Ganahl predicted blizzard-like conditions Wednesday.

The area saw about 4 inches of snowfall over the past week and residents are eyeing the temperatures, wind and forecast, NBC 4‘s Marcus Thorpe reported.

Five trucks within the city of Mount Vernon will be spreading a 50/50 mix of salt and grit during 12-hour shifts.

The forecasted snowfall has not made area small business owners happy. They said diminished foot traffic and slumping sales is a recipe for more tough times.

Conversely, the weather is helping local hardware stores. The Do It Best shop in Centerburg ran out of rock salt and the push for shovels, scrapers, sand and other wintry items is only expected to increase in the coming days.

Businesses aren’t the only ones preparing for the wintry weather. School districts around Central Ohio are preparing families for a snow day. Wind chills are expected to be below zero, making it dangerous for students to stand outside and wait for their school bus or walk to school.

South-Western City Schools officials told NBC 4‘s Candice Lee that calling off school due to snow or cold temperatures begins at 2 a.m.

A team of administrators including the superintendent hit the roads looking at road conditions, snow levels, ice, and the wind chill.

“We have urban areas, we have suburban areas and we have rural areas. So the snow clearance in each of those areas is different as are the icy conditions, the wind conditions,“ said Sandy Nekoloff, of South-Western City Schools.

They also make sure buses will start and are able to pick up the 14,000 students that transport them to school.

Columbus City Schools spokesperson Jeff Warner said there is no state law mandating school cancellations and the decision is solely at the discretion of the superintendent. New Albany, Dublin and Westerville schools had similar policies to South-Western City Schools, but only Westerville City Schools has a statement concerning wind chills.

In a November letter to parents, Superintendent Dr. J. Daniel good explained that wind chills at or below -15 degrees during key walking and waiting-for-bus times are given special consideration.

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