Winter Storm Landon causes closings and delays in Portage County
Northeast Ohio and Portage County are being hit by Winter Storm Landon. This story will be updated throughout the day.
Much of Portage shut down on Thursday because of the winter storm that came through, dumping snow on top of ice from Wednesday’s rain.
The county was placed under a level 2 snow emergency on Thursday afternoon, which means that roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads.
The storm started out as rain, then ice, then snow that was enough to create slick conditions for motorists throughout Northeast Ohio with some crashes and spinouts reported.
Schools, businesses and government buildings closed well in advance of Thursday’s snow and as of Thursday afternoon, the Northeastern Ohio Medical University in Rootstown had already closed for today.
Moderate to heavy snow was expected to continue into this morning with snowfall rates of half an inch to 1 inch per hour possible.
The National Weather Service says this is a massive weather system that is impacting folks for some 2,200 miles from Texas to Maine.
Portage County school closings
Here are closings for Friday:
• Aurora
• Bio-Med Science Academy
• Crestwood
• Field
• Hiram College
• Kent
• Kent State University
• Maplewood Career Center
• Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown
• Ravenna
• Rootstown
• Southeast
• Streetsboro
• Waterloo
Here’s the forecast for Portage County from the NWS
Today
Snow, heavy at times. High near 28. North wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Tonight
Areas of blowing snow before 7pm. Low around 14. North wind 13 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Friday
Snow likely, mainly before 7 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 21. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. West wind around 6 mph.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 23. South wind 3 to 5 mph.
Latest road conditions and tips for safe winter driving
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that as of late Thursday afternoon,, it had responded to a number of crashes around Portage County, primarily vehicles in ditches.
No significant injuries were reported.
Before you head out, be sure to get current road conditions from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Once you know what to expect, be sure to exercise caution when you hit the roads. These winter driving safety tips can help.
Libraries, businesses and services closed or delayed
All Acme Fresh Markets in the greater Akron area, including Kent, will close at 6 p.m. Thursday due to the winter weather for the safety of associates and customers, according to Acme spokeswoman Katie Swartz.
Reed Memorial Library in Ravenna, Kent Free Library and all Portage County District Library Branches are closed Thursday because of the weather.
The Portage County Administration Building, Portage County Job and Family Services Ohio Means Jobs facility, the county’s Riddle Block building, Water Resources Department, Dog Warden’s office and county records center are all closed today.
The Portage County courthouses in Kent and Ravenna are closed.
The Kent Health Department and the Portage County Health District offices are closed.
Kent, Ravenna enact parking bans
Parking bans are in effect in Kent and Ravenna. Ravenna’s ban ends at 9 a.m. Friday. Kent’s ban is in effect until further notice.
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