As of Tuesday, Dec. 15, Monongalia County is under a Winter Storm Warning with prediction of snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches from Wednesday morning into Thursday morning.
The Public Works Department will operate 5 plows beginning tomorrow morning and will adjust staffing levels of conditions necessitate. Currently, the Public Works Department has 8 plow trucks and approximately 2,400 tons of salt to treat and clear city streets and sidewalks.
In December, the city signed a maintenance agreement with West Virginia Division of Highways to treat and perform snow removal on certain state roads within city limits. These roads include High Street, College Avenue, University Avenue and Collins Ferry Road, Burroughs Street, Stewart Street and Stewartstown Road, North Willey Street, Spruce Street, Pleasant Street, and Walnut Street. This new agreement will increase the level of service to citizens without additional cost.
Public Works crews will work as fast as they can to clear any snow accumulation on city streets. It's important for motorists to follow these tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration when driving in snow or ice conditions:
Drive slow. It is harder to control or stop your vehicle abruptly on a slick or snow-covered surface.
Keep your gas tank close to full whenever possible, and when on long trips, plan times to stop and stretch, get something to eat, return calls or text messages, and change drivers or rest if you feel drowsy.
Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter related tasks and supplies you may need in an emergency, such as:
- Snow shovel, broom and an ice scraper;
- Sand or cat litter in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow;
- Jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and emergency markers;
- Blankets for protection from the cold; and
- A cell phone charger, food, water, and necessary medicine.
Don't crowd a snow plow or travel beside it. Snow plows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and exit the road frequently. However, the road behind an active snow plow is safer to drive on. If you find yourself behind a snow plow, stay behind it or use caution when passing.
The Public Works Department has a scheduled response to inclement winter weather. For information on this plan visit www.morgantownwv.gov/snowplan.
Map of WVDOH Streets that will be maintained by the City of Morgantown during the 2020-2021 winter season.