(Photos by Dave Cyphert of ProPoint Media Photography)
The half inch or more of sleet and freezing rain that fell throughout the area on Thursday afternoon created slippery conditions on roads all around the area. Mixed with an inch or more of wet, heavy snow overnight, it also brought down branches, trees, and utility lines in the area.
According to representatives of Jefferson County Emergency Management, they have taken over a dozen calls for downed trees and power lines in the area.
In neighboring Clearfield County, the 9-1-1 dispatcher said there were around 10 motor vehicle accidents since yesterday afternoon. None of the crashes were major; however, several minor injuries were reported.
In Clarion County, emergency responders had a challenging day with multiple accidents throughout the county.
According to representatives of Clarion County 9-1-1, the following motor vehicle accidents were reported Thursday afternoon through Friday morning:
- 10:52 a.m., on Thursday, November 15, a one-vehicle accident near 18782 State Route 68 in Monroe Township. Clarion Fire & Hose Company 1, Sligo Fire Rescue, Clarion Hospital Ambulance, and Clarion-based State Police were dispatched to the scene.
- 2:01 p.m., on Thursday, November 15, on State Route 66 near Arnold Avenue in Farmington Township. Clarion Hospital EMS, Marienville-based State Police PSP, Farmington Township Volunteer Fire Company, Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched.
- 2:05 p.m., on Thursday, November 15, Huckleberry Ridge near Heeter Lane in Piney Township. Southern Ambulance, Clarion-based State Police, Rimersburg Hose Company, and Sligo Fire Rescue were dispatched.
- 2:41 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, a school bus crash State Route 208 near the Shippen Inn. Shippenville-Elk Volunteer Ambulance, Clarion Hospital EMS, Knox Ambulance, Shippenville Elk Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Clarion-based State Police were dispatched.
- 3:12 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, State Route 66 and Maple Drive in Limestone Township. Limestone Township Volunteer Fire Company, Clarion-based State Police, and Clarion Hospital Ambulance were dispatched.
- 3:20 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, State Route 28 near Longview Road in Redbank Township. Clarion Hospital EMS, Hawthorn Area Volunteer Fire Department, New Bethlehem Fire Company, and New Bethlehem Police Department were dispatched.
- 3:36 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, Interstate 80 westbound, 64-mile marker in Clarion Township. Clarion Fire & Hose Company No. 1, Clarion-based State Police, and Clarion Hospital EMS were dispatched to the scene. Strattanville Volunteer Fire Company was requested at Exit 70 to slow traffic.
- 4:45 a.m. on Friday, November 16, Route 338 in Beaver Township. Clarion-based State Police were dispatched.
- 6:30 a.m., on Friday, November 16, McEwen Road in Piney Township. Rimersburg Hose Company, Sligo Fire Rescue, and Clarion-based State Police were dispatched.
While emergency crews are busy working with yesterday’s incidents, the wintry weather may not be over yet, according to forecasters.
According to the National Weather Service, there is a 50% chance of snow showers and freezing drizzle before 1:00 p.m. today, then a continued chance of snow showers through tonight with up to a half inch of accumulation possible.
Tomorrow is expected to be cloudy with no precipitation and a high near 36 degrees. A few snow showers may crop up around 3:00 a.m. going into Sunday, and there is a 40% chance of continued snow showers Sunday and through the early part of next week.