As of 8:30 a.m. today, Lawrence County remained under a Level 1 snow emergency.

Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless made the announcement at around 10 p.m. Sunday night.

A Level 1 Snow emergency means that roads — township and county, mainly secondary — are hazardous with the possibility of blowing and drifting snow. Roads are icy and drivers should use caution if they choose to drive.

County Engineer Doug Cade said the first of his crews were out at about 6:30 a.m. plowing the roads. There are 12 plows and two graders out on the roads, Cade said.

“Because it is such a heavy and wet snow, it pretty well peels off the pavement,” Cade said.

For those who haven’t seen a plow on their side of the county, Cade said snow plowing is a long process.

“One round of snow plowing takes eight to 10 hours,” Cade said. “There are parts of the county that won’t see us until later.”

Cade also advised that if motorists see a plow, move over as far as you can.

Crews with the Ohio Department of Transportation District 9 also continue their efforts to combat snow and ice.

While the hardest hit areas have been in Adams, Brown, Jackson, Pike and Scioto counties, routes throughout the entire District 9 area are snow covered and may be icy in spots. In addition, snow continues to fall, so additional accumulation is expected, particularly in the southern corridor of the district.

Although snowplow operators from the eight-county region will be plowing and treating the state and federal routes, motorists need to use additional caution. Drivers are reminded to reduce their speed, maintain a safe following distance and allow additional travel time. They are also reminded to give snowplow drivers room to work, as they drive at reduced speeds and their field of vision is limited.