City, county, schools prepared for snow; courthouse closed

By Staff, 02/15/21 10:40 AM

PRESCOTT – Area residents began preparing for snow Sunday before it began.

As is the norm, stores were hit hard for milk and bread, but soft drinks and snacks also flew off the shelves as people prepared for what could be an extended period of being housebound due to the snow.

The snow started falling shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday, quit for a while, but came down in earnest around 10 p.m. when it snowed heavily and didn’t let up until after 9 a.m. Monday.

School was out for President’s Day in Prescott and Rosston, but both superintendents say the snow will affect the rest of the week. Robert Poole, Prescott superintendent, said school will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday for sure and be reevaluated depending on what happens weather wise as more snow is in the forecast for later this week.

Rick McAfee, Nevada superintendent, said school will be all digital this week, with Valentine’s Day celebrated next Monday. The district basketball tournament was cancelled because of the weather and the Blue Jays will go straight to the regional tilt next week. He said plans are to have the buses running on Feb. 22, but there are some county dirt roads that may be impassable. The situation will be examined Sunday to see if school will be held the week of Feb. 22 or not as more snow is in the forecast, and it could be mixed with sleet.

Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver said the city started preparing for winter weather Thursday by putting chemicals on the roads, especially at the nursing homes and Prescott Police Department. A trio of backhoes are at Firestone today, clearing parking lots and sidewalks. Because of the snow, the Prescott City Council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday night, has been moved to Feb. 22.

He said there are no problems at this time, but this snow has been light and dry, not wet and heavy. Snow later in the week could become problematic as it’s supposed to be heavy and wet, which could cause tree limbs to snap and take out power lines. Temperatures will be a problem tonight, he continued, as the mercury is supposed to drop to single-digits with  subzero wind chill.

Nevada County Judge Mark Glass said there have been no problems reported in the county, other than the roads being in a mess. The highways are being plowed, but county roads are still covered in snow. The snow, he added, could be on county roads until Saturday when it’s predicted to get above freezing. He said the Nevada County Courthouse will be closed Tuesday because of inclement weather and could be closed all week, unless something changes.

The county prepared for the weather by buying two new chainsaws to replace to old ones and made sure all of the saws were gassed and ready to go if they’re needed. County road crew employees are on standby should the predictions be right and the area gets hit with sleet and snow later this week.