Clinton Co. officials gearing up for first expected snow of the season

FRANKFORT, Ind. — It’s about the time of year when coats are coming out of retirement and the crunch of salt may be heard underfoot. Although there’s no snow in the sky yet, officials are already on standby for the first flurry.

Some Hoosiers across central Indiana are expecting the first snowfall of the season this weekend. Although the weekend snow is expected to be relatively light, it’s still something to be aware of. 

Jeffery O’Brien works as a school crossing guard and said people need to get back in the mindset of winter driving.

”I’m at the middle school out here in Frankfort and [drivers] just don’t allow enough time to stop,” O’Brien said. 

The county’s highway department agrees and said not only do people need to be more cautious, but they also need to be patient as salt trucks come out for the season. 

“Give us some room to work,” Highway Superintendent Rick Campbell said. “Let us do our jobs so we can get the roads cleaned up.”

Campbell said 16 trucks and about 800 tons of salt are on standby to tackle more than 800 miles of road across the county. Those trucks can only be as effective as people let them, he noted.

“[Drivers] don’t leave enough time, so they’re in a hurry to get to work and they get right up behind you and put their headlights right in your rearview mirror and you can’t see what you’re doing then,” Campbell said. 

The FOX59/CBS4 Weather Authority said north central counties are looking like they could see snow early Sunday into Sunday evening. It’s likely to sit on grass and elevated surfaces, but there’s always the chance that it could stick if pavement temperatures drop.

“Just slow down, be careful and expect the roads to possibly be slick in spots,” Campbell said. 

Some have already stocked up on salt and dusted off snow shovels in anticipation of a possible weekend flurry, knowing the expected snow will likely be the start of much more to come.

“They say it’s supposed to be a real cold winter, so everybody just take care of yourself and keep warm,” O’Brien said.