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Summit, Medina and Stark county accidents leave 3 dead. Commuters wake up to traffic headaches
By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008
Akron officials said Tuesday they were caught off guard by heavier-than-expected snowfall.
''We got a tremendous amount of snow compared to what we were supposed to get,'' said Paul Barnett, the city's public works manager.
Dozens of residents telephoned the city's 311 help line to complain about slushy streets.
Barnett said the city would have assigned more trucks earlier to salting and plowing if the forecast had matched reality.
The city pays a company to provide detailed forecasts.
''They missed it,'' he said. ''The city will review additional forecasts.''
Officials began the evening Monday with 20 trucks outfitted with plows and salt spreaders, expecting a trace to 2 inches of snow to fall overnight.
But many areas of the city got 3 inches with some getting hit with 9 inches by Tuesday morning, Barnett said.
Akron didn't get its entire fleet of trucks — 50 units — on the road until about 8 a.m. Tuesday, Barnett said.
Many of the trucks had been assigned to the city's leaf pickup program. Outfitting them with 4-ton plows took time, he said.
Akron and Cuyahoga Falls suspended their leaf removal programs Tuesday, giving priority to plowing and salting.
In Cuyahoga Falls, residents were asked to check the city's Web site at http://www.cityofcf.com for updates on the weather and when the leaf program will be resumed.
Commuters woke up Tuesday to traffic headaches.
State Route 8 kept police busy as accidents created traffic tie-ups in both directions. In Cuyahoga Falls, police said a snow plow got stuck on Stow Avenue, blocking traffic.
Tuesday morning, police were busy responding to reports of at least three accidents on Interstate 77, two in Akron and one outside the city.
Bath Township police reported traffic was at a crawl on the interstate.
A dispatcher for the sheriff's offices in Summit and Stark counties reported deputies responded to accidents ''all over.''
In Summit, a 42-year-old woman died Tuesday morning after an accident Monday evening.
Elaine Baer, of Ravenna, was driving east on Interstate 76 in Tallmadge when her car was struck by an oncoming vehicle that had crossed the median.
She was pronounced dead at 9:41 a.m. Tuesday at Akron General Medical Center.
An investigator with the Summit County Coroner's Office said he did not know whether the accident was weather-related.
In Medina County, a 73-year-old woman died after apparently losing control of her vehicle on state Route 18 near Windfall Road shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Mary Little of Medina went left of center and was hit by another car, Medina County Coroner Neil Grabenstetter said.
A rescue crew from Medina took Little to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
In Stark County, an 18-year-old woman from Perry Township died Monday afternoon after losing control of her vehicle during a snow squall.
Kelli Halterman, a senior at Perry High School, was driving west on Perry Drive Northwest, near Brunnerdale Avenue, when her vehicle slid into the path of an oncoming truck.
The National Weather Service said that 1 to 3 inches of additional snow accumulation was possible by this morning.
Weather service meteorologist Brian Mitchell said the wind will gradually shift from northwest to southwest and ''won't be blowing off of Lake Erie'' causing lake-effect snow showers.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com. Beacon Journal staff writer Kathy Antoniotti contributed to this report.
Akron officials said Tuesday they were caught off guard by heavier-than-expected snowfall.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 08:07 AM, 11/19/2008
BS! They had plenty of advance warning! These communities should be held liable for the traffic accidents and deaths.
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 08:27 AM, 11/19/2008
The snow advisory was for Summit, and Medina county and other counties, advisory meant 3 to 5 inches so theres no way they had no advance warning, all the news stations were pretty clear.
Accuweather was the only weather site that said 1 inch.....
They need to take care of our streets so people don't have to die over a snow storm. What year is this? And don't even get me started about the lie they are telling about salt shortages.....
Posted 08:29 AM, 11/19/2008
Yes, they had plenty of advanced warning of 2" of snow, but not 8 to 10". Maybe people should take responsibility for themselves before blaming other people!
This morning, long after the snow fell I saw two accidents on Lake Road in Springfield. One slid off the road and hit a sign and was stuck. The other one was the car infront of me sliding towards a stop sign and hitting the stopped car infront of her. The road was covered and she was going to fast approaching a stop sign. USE YOUR HEAD, if the road is covered, slow it down. Some people are completely stupid when it comes to winter weather!!
Norton, OH
Posted 08:44 AM, 11/19/2008
I don't think they were expecting as much as it was forecast. Akron doesn't usually get that much from the lake effect, so they weren't ready for it.
Besides, people should be responsible enough to be able to drive in these conditions. I mean it is Ohio, and there's going to a salt shortage anyway, so start driving like it's winter and not the middle of summer.
Your safety is your responsibility.
Posted 08:45 AM, 11/19/2008
"The city pays a company to provide detailed forecasts.
''They missed it,'' he said. ''The city will review additional forecasts.''"
Couldn't the city officials just listen to the radio? Why do we pay additional money for forecasts? Just listening to the news we knew what was coming. I hope they are listening for tomorrow morning. Sounds like another blast just in time for rush hour.
cuyahoga falls, oh
Posted 09:05 AM, 11/19/2008
Cuyahoga falls wasnt even salting last night at all!!! There were several people stuck on the Bailey road hill last night. I actually had to push a girls VW up the hill it was so bad. Its pretty sad that I was the only person willing to get out of my car to help someone. I don't know what this world is coming to.
AKRON, OH
Posted 10:05 AM, 11/19/2008
What were their excuses for last night? I went out to the Chapel Hill area to go shopping around 6:30, and Howe Rd was a sheet of ice. I went to one store and then went home before I was in an accident, not good for retailers who are already hurting for business. Driving in Cuyahoga Falls was ridiculous, they did not have any trucks out; none of the hills in the city were salted and they can't say it was because they were on the expressway, they weren't there either. The ball was dropped yesterday morning and last night as well, there were some people sleeping on the job.
Posted 10:38 AM, 11/19/2008
This is the earliest snow fall I can remember. So much for global warming.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:57 AM, 11/19/2008
Unexpected?
Try "unprepared".
Hey, it's Akron.
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 11:11 AM, 11/19/2008
Yeah I am sure that 73 year old woman was speeding down the road....
sure some people think they can drive fast because they drive some huge gas guzzler, but the city admits they were unprepared because they didnt know, they are just as responsible, as the idiots who drive fast in snow.
However, I am not a moron, and calling someone a moron over the internet really shows your intelligence level. Enjoy your cup of ignorance this morning.
Canton, OH
Posted 11:20 AM, 11/19/2008
Hey city, The white stuff that was falling from the sky is snow. If you see it you might want to take some kind of action.
It should not mater when we get the snow they should always be prepared!!
Posted 11:43 AM, 11/19/2008
You people are idiots. I will tell you what this world has come to Matt, people that want to take NO responsibility for their own actions. They want to blame everyone else but them. All they think about is themselves and would never dream of helping another person that is in trouble.
If you drive 60 on a freeway when it is slick, I usualy say a prayer.....that I see your car in the median or the cement wall once I pass you. SLOW DOWN!!!
Posted 11:49 AM, 11/19/2008
AH HA The century's greatest mystery has been solved: STEVE is CAPTAIN CLUELESS!
I had no idea! I thought it was Ed, who totally understands climate change!
east of Akron, AA
Posted 11:52 AM, 11/19/2008
blame the drivers that caused the accidents, not the weather man or the government. Sheesh.
Posted 11:58 AM, 11/19/2008
How about reallocating what they are paying for the weather reports to salt and manpower for the plows.
Why pay a service for weather reports? Turn on the tv, or better yet log on to the weather channel's website that details weather by ZIP CODE. It even has local radar www.weather.com
Posted 12:26 PM, 11/19/2008
My sympathy to the family on the loss of their loved one. The left of center accident is directly a fault of ODOT's new SR18 design and someone ought to go to jail. The previous design separated the east and westbound traffic. Now all five lanes can be a free-for-all in snowy weather. To be safe, SR-18 needs concrete barriers to separate the east and westbound lanes but that isn't going to happen because the fifth lane was added to be a convenience to business access.
Posted 12:29 PM, 11/19/2008
Just remind the kids to "pace" a path before sledding.
You don't know where the ruts or boards may lie!!!
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 12:57 PM, 11/19/2008
Well, these folks knew it was coming. Also, the people driving too slow are just as bad as the ones driving too fast. If you are a hazard, get off the roads!
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 12:59 PM, 11/19/2008
Why should anyone be surprised? Every year these city governments are unprepared and caught "off guard". Geesh, are they new to this type of weather? Same thing applies to drivers on the first big snow...they all turn stupid and forget how to drive in it. People kill me, let's blame the cities...get a clue, put down the cell phones and drive dammit!
Posted 01:20 PM, 11/19/2008
Heavy snowfall unexpected in Akron?
The city of akron needs to listen to the weather reports. Every winter it snows in akron, and every year the city is unprepared. Instead of trying to get the voters to pass an issue to raise
money for college for kids. Perhaps the city of Akron should invest money in getting their own tv station back.
Stow, OH
Posted 01:48 PM, 11/19/2008
I still have a mountain of leaves out front . Maybe I can get the snowplow driver to push them away too.
Posted 02:13 PM, 11/19/2008
Ya, global warming doesn't exist Ed. And the world is flat too.
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 02:54 PM, 11/19/2008
Global Warming my @$$.
Posted 02:55 PM, 11/19/2008
YOU CAN CALL 311 IT WONT DO YOU ANY GOOD. AKRON SNOW REMOVAL IS HORRIBLE. MY STREET DOESNT GET A PLOW UNTIL 5 DAYS AFTER A HEAVEY SNOW.
Posted 03:19 PM, 11/19/2008
Well C-Falls used to be "SO" good at snowplowing that they would plow you right into your driveway so you couldn't get out to go anywhere without a giant Tonka Toy to dig you out! They came by so many times on the street I used to live on that we could never get out of our driveway after it would snow.
I do give kudos to Akron last evening. I live off of Akron-Peninsula now and the Portage Trail Extension was plowed and salted so we didn't slide all the way down the hill last night, and there were no accidents or slowdowns to speak of. Pretty good for Akron.
But I do agree, we were out shopping around the Chapel Hill area last night and it was terrible trying to drive anywhere. There wasn't a plow in sight and everyone was backed up on Tallmadge going down towards Broad.
People do need to slow down in this kind of weather though. Be safe... don't be a moron and kill someone else because you want to drive fast!
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 04:01 PM, 11/19/2008
Get used to it, because you are going to have to deal with it all winter long. Salt prices are up 300% right now, and due to an increased demand many cities/counties are unable to get shipments right now and have low supplies on hand. As a result, they aren't spreading as much salt and are relying more on the plows, which we all know doesn't matter when you are dealing with ice like we were yesterday.
Posted 04:22 PM, 11/19/2008
Move south!
Posted 05:20 PM, 11/19/2008
One never knows what mother nature will bring. If you must go out LEAVE EARLY DRIVE SLOW
Posted 05:22 PM, 11/19/2008
Granted the cities should get all man power out to clear the roads/ salt yet people in grneral are almost always in a hurry. How irate does one get when going ANYWHERE in life if one has to wait? Slow it down in life.. period. It is the "AMERICAN WAY"
N. Canton, Oh
Posted 05:32 PM, 11/19/2008
L, the snow plows when plowing the roads will plow in driveways....Can't help that one. What do you think they should do. My husband plows snow, not for Akron or CF's. These guys are out there risking their lives also...give them a break..It's not their fault.
Posted 07:18 PM, 11/19/2008
Steve, you are and idiot, I suppose you want to hold Ford or Chevy responsible also if that is the make of vehicle that the other person was driving that caused the accident or killed the other person, I know, better yet, we can hold God responsible for the persons whose heart stopped beating when they die of a heart attack also, JERK. Or we can all sue the heirs of Benjamin Franklin when our houses catch fire due to overloaded electrical outlets issues, since he is the one who discovered electricity. DORK
Posted 11:27 PM, 11/19/2008
Hey George, I did. It was 86 and sunny here today. And yes to the rest of you, I am a butthead! Sorry folks, I grew up in Akron and remember all too well those cold winter nights. I'm kinda liking this Arizona weather. Bundle up, and stay warm.
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 05:50 AM, 11/20/2008
Wow someone got Ron's panties in a bundle. Are you one of those bloggers who cannot discuss anything without name-calling? I'm not defending what anyone says here, but I think maybe your comments might be out of line.
Posted 06:10 AM, 11/20/2008
Big deal it snowed some people had to plow it. No one risked his or her life any more than anyone else. Risk is in every part of our lifes just like you can assign a cost to anything you want.
Salt did not go up 300% for the cities like Akron. So much misinformation. People it is winter drive according to conditions and equip your vehicles to drive in it.
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 08:39 AM, 11/20/2008
Heads up Akron, in case your weather people are wrong again, there is a lake effect snow advisory in effect for summit county starting at 12pm and ending at 4am.
Posted 09:37 AM, 11/20/2008
Lucky you Tom. We will only hit 60 today here in SC. Nice and bright and sunny though. No Akron winters for 24 years, love it!
Posted 01:59 PM, 11/20/2008
everyone is so angry here YIKES.. we live in Ohio...it happens, accidents happen that is why they are called accidents, two weeks ago it was 80 in Charleston SC, anyone interested in a condo in Tallmadge so I can get outta here
Seminole, FL
Posted 07:24 PM, 11/20/2008
Shees, all these stories bring some humility as I get to suffer 50s for lows down here in Florida....AGAIN!!!....
Oh gees, went to the local tavern last night, some guy had a ski mask and a sweater and a jacket....it went down to 48. I had to remind him that it can be worse....
Posted 10:01 AM, 11/21/2008
Jason it sounds like your tavern buddy was dressed for an Akron convenience store stickup.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:48 AM, 11/21/2008
as long as everyone drives safely, stays off the cell phones, goes at a reasonable pace, all should be fine. People need to be responsible for themselves in situations like this. Snow = slick roads, sometimes black ice or even a sheet of ice. use your heads.
San Francisco, CA
Posted 03:55 PM, 11/21/2008
I for one, sure am glad winter is here!
