Saturday, January 4, 2014
RELATED: STATE BY STATE WEATHER REVIEW
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Cold weather and snow are still here to stay, and along with that comes lessons to learn after the first winter storm of the new year hit Thursday.
Though the temperature is supposed to hit a high of 32 degrees this afternoon, it will feel like 11 below zero with wind chills in the morning, according to the National Weather Service forecast. The temperature will drop tonight into the lower 20s.
Sunday will have a typical high temperature — the upper 30s — for this time of the year. But that won’t last long with a low around 20 degrees at night and wind chills of minus 5 degrees, according to the weather service.
Monday’s high is expected to be only 12 degrees with the temperature falling to zero in the afternoon and wind chills of 20 below zero. The temperature on Monday night will fall to 10 to 15 degrees below zero with wind chills of minus 30.
It gets worse Tuesday with a high around 2 above, a low about minus 7 degrees, and wind chills of 35 degrees below zero, according to the forecast.
Wednesday’s high is expected to be 15 degrees to 20 degrees and a low temperature around 10. Wind chills will still be below zero. By Thursday, temperatures will climb to the mid-30s and fall only to the mid-20s.
ICY ACCIDENT
An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was hit by a car around 10:30 Thursday night after he stopped to help a stranded motorist on Interstate 680 in Austintown.
Trooper Brian Cowles of the Canfield post was outside his car when he saw an out-of-control car coming in his direction, the Canfield post reported.
He tried to run, but the car hit him, injuring his leg.
The driver of the car, Caila M. Chambers, 22, of Stow was not hurt.
Cowles was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center, where he underwent surgery late Friday afternoon, the post said.
The accident is still under investigation.
PARKING BANS
The weather led to parking bans throughout Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
In Boardman, police handed out 11 parking violations to residents for parking on the road Thursday night.
“It is a real safety issue,” said Jason Loree, township administrator. “That’s why really when we put those bans up it’s not just for our street crew, but it’s also for emergency safety vehicles.”
Loree said the ban usually is placed. when snow picks up and ice is also in the mix.
“When we are really clearing the roads it becomes difficult,” Loree said. “We are serious [about the bans] and we want to make sure everyone [knows that.]”
Ray Thomas, assistant supervisor of the road department in Boardman Township, said when cars park on either side of the road, leaving only part of the street open to get through, it is even difficult for a car to get by, let alone a plow truck or safety vehicle.
“And then we couldn’t get our plows to make our roads safe,” Thomas said.
Thomas said eight trucks were out until 10:30 p.m. Thursday.
HELPING HOMELESS, ANIMALS
On Thursday, the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley took in 101 homeless men overnight, a record for the facility. Between men’s and family services, the Rescue Mission housed a record 141 people.
The staff was expecting that number to grow Friday, with as many as 105 men and 45 women, children and fathers expected to take shelter at the Youngstown facility.
Doug Gough, supervisor of men’s services, said the mission can accommodate up to 106 men. But as temperatures continue to plunge, he said overflow accommodations would be set up in the chapel.
The Rescue Mission and other shelters have been working closely with the Help Hotline Crisis Center to find homeless people and transport them to local shelters. Residents should dial the hotline at 2-1-1 if they see someone in need.
Agents with Animal Charity conducted pet wellness checks to ensure outside pets are safe.
Kayley Frost, agency executive director, said the only incident agents encountered that involved rescue was chickens and ducks outside that were removed and taken to Happy Trails Farm and Animal Sanctuary in North Benton.