CLAYTON -- Thursday night parts of the Miami Valley saw the prelude to what can be a severe winter storm Friday, including snow, sleet and freezing rain.
In Clayton, the freezing rain started around 10:30, just minutes after the Ohio Department of Transportation workers came in for their shifts. ODOT crews filled their trucks with salt and headed out for what's expected to be a long night.
Officials with ODOT says the crews will work into the morning some will do double shifts to treat the roads. If you have to go to work or take the kids to school Friday morning give yourself at least an extra half hour to get to your destination. Also drive slow and be cautious. Driving with freezing rain can be extremely dangerous.
"One of the things with ice is you can't always see it so we just want to remind drivers that you want to take caution. Even if the roads look clear it could be black ice so we want to make sure that you go slow enough so you can stop and if you see our snow plows out make sure you stay far enough behind them to give them space to clear the way," said Mandi Abner with ODOT.
"I plan to drive slow when I head out tomorrow," said Gail Ross of Vandalia. "Salt my driveway, take a bag of salt in the back of my truck just in case I get stuck, flashlight, blanket in the back, you just never know."
You can check the road conditions before you head out the door. ODOT has an application called OHGO. It shows you an entire map of the Miami Valley and when you click on a particular city, or township it will list driving conditions and if there are any traffic backups. Check out the link by going to news links on our website.
In Clayton, the freezing rain started around 10:30, just minutes after the Ohio Department of Transportation workers came in for their shifts. ODOT crews filled their trucks with salt and headed out for what's expected to be a long night.
Officials with ODOT says the crews will work into the morning some will do double shifts to treat the roads. If you have to go to work or take the kids to school Friday morning give yourself at least an extra half hour to get to your destination. Also drive slow and be cautious. Driving with freezing rain can be extremely dangerous.
"One of the things with ice is you can't always see it so we just want to remind drivers that you want to take caution. Even if the roads look clear it could be black ice so we want to make sure that you go slow enough so you can stop and if you see our snow plows out make sure you stay far enough behind them to give them space to clear the way," said Mandi Abner with ODOT.
"I plan to drive slow when I head out tomorrow," said Gail Ross of Vandalia. "Salt my driveway, take a bag of salt in the back of my truck just in case I get stuck, flashlight, blanket in the back, you just never know."
You can check the road conditions before you head out the door. ODOT has an application called OHGO. It shows you an entire map of the Miami Valley and when you click on a particular city, or township it will list driving conditions and if there are any traffic backups. Check out the link by going to news links on our website.