Summit County Issues Snow Emergency; Fairlawn & Bath Prepared for Storm

The first blizzard of the year is here, but before one flake even touched the ground, crews in Fairlawn and Bath Township were preparing for the worst.

The snow started falling in Fairlawn and Bath around 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. By noon, at least 2 inches had fallen, according to the National Weather Service.

Summit County was placed under a Level 1 snow emergency by the county sheriff, which means the roads are hazardous and icy, according Bath Township Police.

Fairlawn Deputy Service Director Ernie Staten said the city's salt trucks were loaded on Christmas night and stationed throughout the city ready to go when the snow started falling.

When the snow did begin to fall, the trucks coated all the city streets with salt to break the bond between the ice and the pavement. Staten has five snow plows and three pick-up trucks with plows on the road. 

It's important to note that Miller Road is maintained by Akron and Cleveland-Massillon Road is maintained by Summit County, Staten said. If those roads get too bad, however, Fairlawn will make a sweep on them to keep everyone safe.

In Bath Township, Interim Service Director Mike Rorar said he's treating this like every other snow storm. The township is responsible for plowing housing allotments, Rorar said, and the rest falls on Summit County.

"We've got all our trucks running and we'll have 24-hour coverage if we need it," Rorar said. "The key is getting people to their doors safely."

The county is responsible for the following roads:

• Revere Road

• Everett Road

• Cleveland-Massillon Road

• Ghent Road

• Hametown Road

• Medina Line Road

• Ira Road

• Shade Road

• Martin Road

• Bath Road

• Yellow Creek Road

• Shaw Road

• Granger Road

• Crystal Lake Road

• Sourek Road

• Springside Drive

Check out county maps or report potholes or crack on the Summit County Engineer's website.

Find out what the roads are like before you head out by checking our Commute tab.