Harsh weather leads to snow emergency

FINDLAY, Ohio (AP) — A winter storm system blamed for three deaths in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions spread a hazardous mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain through Ohio.

The Hancock County sheriff’s office said Sunday that the county was under a level three snow emergency, meaning all roads are closed to nonemergency vehicles. Officials said anyone traveling through the county is subject to arrest unless they are involved in an emergency.

The National Weather Service reports that Ohio was under a wind advisory, with gusts up to 45 mph causing blowing snow in Northwest Ohio.

In Cleveland, the football game between the Browns and the Buffalo Bills kicked off in blizzardlike conditions as the storm dumped snow on the Lake Erie shoreline. Kickers and punters battled wind gusts nearing 40 mph during pregame warmups.

Windows in the press box fogged up, making it almost impossible to see the field.

It was 30 degrees at game time, with a wind chill of 18.