Despite ice and snow from the first round of winter storms to pass through the region creating hazardous conditions, law enforcement and emergency management personnel say all was relatively quiet in Marshall County.
Sheriff Kevin Byars said Marshall County Sheriff’s Office had seen several incidents of drivers sliding off the roadways or becoming stuck, but no major accidents or injuries took place throughout the weekend. Benton Police Chief Jeromy Hicks confirmed the same for Benton Police Department this weekend.
“Everybody kind of, pretty much stayed in and behaved themselves,” Byars said. “Being as they predicted it — everybody paid attention to what everybody was telling them to stay in, so there wasn’t a lot of traffic out. So, it went very well.”
State and local road crews have been out since initial snowfall on Friday working to clear most roads. As of Monday morning, major roadways — interstates and parkways — had been cleared.
However some areas remained treacherous. A second round of snowfall on Monday could serve to hamper efforts, though local crews say warmer temperatures Monday had allowed salt to work, making it easier to plow. According to Marshall County Road Department, Aurora and the surrounding areas saw the worst of Friday’s winter weather, prompting the department to double its manpower on the south end of the county to make headway.
“The majority of the county roads in the other areas are all pretty good,” the department issued in a statement on its social media. “Please keep in mind that not all roads in the county are ours. The majority of the main roads belong to the state.”
MCRD maintains about 886 miles of roadway in Marshall County.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) intended to run crews as late as possible Monday into Tuesday, according to a KYTC release, though federal law prohibits beyond a 16-hour shift. Temperatures were expected to drop into single digits overnight Monday; KYTC said crews would continue to spread salt and plow as temperatures fell.
All agencies are urging residents to use caution as it gets colder. In particular, agencies cautioned residents against unnecessary travel, as roads were again becoming slick amid Monday afternoon snowfall. According to Benton Police Department, road conditions were deteriorating as of about 1 p.m., leading to “several collisions.”
“If you have to be out, take some provisions along with you in case you get stuck out somewhere and somebody can’t get to you for a little bit, where you can stay good and warm,” Byars said. “Have water, snacks, food, something like that. … Take (your) time, don’t get in any hurry. Just because it looks clear doesn’t necessarily mean it is, because black ice is a real thing. It looks like normal roadway, but it will be very slick. If you’re moving at normal traveling speeds, you’ll lose control very quickly.”
KYTC suggests a number of safety steps for those who need to travel in the next few days, as well. Those suggestions may be found here.