An onslaught of snow and ice caused several traffic accidents in Lawrence County Monday morning.

A dispatcher from the Ohio State Highway Patrol said there were several car accidents reported in the area including six on U.S. 52. Another car hit a tree on Ohio 775. The dispatcher said the accidents have not caused injuries and several motorists had stopped to assist others who had slid off the road.

Lawrence County is on a level 1 snow emergency, which means that roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. During the emergency, drivers are urged to drive cautiously, as roads may be icy.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning that is in effect until Tuesday at 10 a.m. The storm is expected to produce steady accumulating snow Monday morning. A brief lull in the storm is expected during the afternoon and wind blown snow showers will redevelop by Monday evening and last into Tuesday morning.

The weather service predicted heavy snow totaling 6 to 8 inches by Tuesday morning.

Crews from the Ironton Street Department started early Monday morning to plow and salt the city streets.

Street superintendent Mike Pemberton said crews focused on clearing the main thoroughfares of the city.

“It got us pretty early,” Pemberton said of the snow. “It started around (6:30 a.m.) and we probably got a couple inches and the winds picked up and it’s blowing everywhere.

We got a little bit more snow in a shorter period of time.”

The department uses a dump truck and a pick-up truck with snowplows to clear the roads.

“If (you) don’t need to come out, stay in where it’s warm,” Pemberton advised. “Just drive safe. This snow seems like it’s slicker than any snow we’ve had.”

Classes at Ohio University Southern canceled afternoon and evening classes beginning at noon and afterward in Ironton and Proctorville.