The people in Chardon are hearty people, well-prepared and geared for it, and ready to roll. – Paul Molan
Between the news, phones buzzing with weather updates and social media, everyone knew Old Man Winter was finally arriving in Geauga County this weekend.
The only questions were how much, how cold and how long?
“The traveling public in Geauga County should proceed with caution,” said Frank Antenucci, Geauga County Engineer’s Office administrator, Jan. 18. “If you do not need to leave your house, stay off the roads and stay inside where it’s warm. If you have to drive on the roads, drive slowly, leave plenty of distance between yourself and any vehicles ahead, and be observant for any obstructions and drifting on the roads.”
Meteorologists’ predictions came close to the real deal, as a foot of snow accumulated in Chardon beginning around noon Saturday until Sunday evening, bringing with it frigid wind-chill temperatures and a second round of additional accumulating lake effect snow.
“We had predictions from 5–12 inches for the 36-hour period,” Antenucci said Jan. 20. “We have rough estimates of somewhere between there, but no exact estimate right now because of the significant drifting due to the high winds.”
“Snowmageddon 2019” blanketed one-third of the United States with hundreds of flight cancellations and States of Emergency declared in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Geauga County was well prepared for its first snowstorm of the year.
Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand said he was only aware of five people without power and it was rescheduled to be restored by 1 p.m. Saturday.
“Geauga County is used to large amounts of snow fall every year,” Hildenbrand said. “We are prepared with the tools and equipment to handle it. Our county engineer’s office and local township plow drivers do a fantastic job.”
Residents prepped for the storm by running to gas stations and grocery stores.
“Make sure your vehicle has good tires, good windshield wipers, full tank of fuel, and when the roads are bad and you really don’t need to go out, don’t,” Hildenbrand said. “Give the plow drivers a chance to clean the roads. If you do go out, please slow down.”
Antenucci said the engineer’s office has its 24/7 snow and ice command center ready to go with a staff that has decades of snow and ice control experience in Geauga County.
“We have 10 front-line, heavy-duty, 10-ton plowing dump trucks loaded with pure salt and ready to go,” Antenucci said. “We have another half dozen plow trucks on standby for backup.”
The office rotated two different 10-driver teams around the clock to counter the storm and has more than 10,000 tons of pure salt on hand at office’s storage yard on Merritt Road.
“We constantly review different sources for the best possible analysis of a predicted snow and ice event prior to it hitting Geauga County,” Antenucci said. “But as you know, the snow in Geauga County is highly unpredictable, so we do our best.”
The electronic sign on Chardon Square said last winter season, the city recorded 130 inches of snow. This year, there has only been 21.2 inches so far.
“This is normal for out here,” said Keith Gamiere, of Thompson Township, as he left his SUV and breezed into Chardon’s Home Depot Sunday morning.
He said he did nothing out of the ordinary to prepare for the weekend’s weather.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Chardon Post, however, gave kudos to residents in the county who were prepared, as well as the engineer’s office and other government entities.
“Everybody did their jobs in preparing for it and heeded weather services’ and news services’ advice,” said Sgt. Jeremy Kindler.
Early on Jan. 20, Paul Molan maneuvered around in his Manitou-Telehandler, clearing snow accumulation around Geauga County courthouse.
“The people in Chardon are hearty people, well-prepared and geared for it, and ready to roll,” Molan said.
So are some dogs and their owners, such as Chardon’s John Healy and his weimaraner rescue named Spooky — clad in his warm service coat — who crunched by in the snow.
“He really likes it a whole lot,” Healy said, of the snow. “…I will endure to persevere with him. I wasn’t a happy camper. We had a mild fall and I hope it doesn’t extend into our spring.”
Across the county at Geauga Park District’s annual Frozen Fest at The West Woods in Russell Township, many patrons traveled first to the complimentary hot-chocolate tent for warm-ups and cookies.
“It is definitely the frostiest Frozen Fest ever,” organizer Teresa Runion said, as she greeted bundled arrivals prepared for the lowest wind chill temperatures in a long time in the area.
Hildenbrand said when out in this kind of weather, it is important to wear layers, heavy clothes and cover as much exposed skin as you can.
“Do not worry about looking fashionable, dress warm,” he added.
These tips were well taken by Alpine Valley lift operator Andrew White, who was covered in full-face protective gear as he waited to assist people uphill at the ski resort in Chester Township.
“It’s a little cold, but I’m prepared,” said snowboarder Tron Compton-Engle, of Shaker Heights, quickly pulling down his facemask and adjusting his helmet and goggles. “It’s nice conditions with all of this fresh powder. I welcome this blizzard.”
