photo by: Derek Redd

David Weitzel of Wheeling digs out from under inches of snow in the Springdale neighborhood Sunday. Some residents were digging out in stages so they wouldn’t have to deal with the full snow total Monday.

WHEELING — The predictions offered in the days prior to the weekend’s winter storm came true.

The Ohio Valley was blanketed by several inches of snow from late Saturday through Sunday, freezing most residents in place as they hunkered down to wait out the storm.

In Wheeling, residents could be seen clearing their driveways and walkways with shovels and snowblowers Sunday afternoon — even as snow continued falling from the sky — to keep an arduous task from becoming an insurmountable task Monday morning.

The inclement weather kept most people off the roads Sunday. Those in Belmont and Jefferson counties in Ohio had little choice. Both counties were under Level 3 emergencies.

Belmont County Emergency Management Agency Director Dave Ivan said the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office moved the county to Level 3 by noon Sunday. Ivan said that means no one should be driving, with the exception of emergency personnel, and those with personal emergencies.

People should also contact their employers about the emergency level. Motorists found driving on any roadways could be arrested, he added.

Monroe County was under a Level 2 emergency, which meant that only drivers who felt it necessary should be on the road.

The roads in the Northern Panhandle remained quiet as well, which had EMA directors on both sides saying there were few accidents on the road.

Ivan said there were no accidents to report as of Sunday afternoon.

“I think people heeded the warning for this one,” he said.

Ohio County EMA Director Lou Vargo also reported a quiet day.

“It seems like everyone is listening and staying off the roads,” Vargo said.

While road conditions were treacherous in Ohio County, Vargo said no roads were closed.

“They’re still covered. We’re encouraging people to stay off the roads unless they absolutely have to. If they have to work they need to give themselves extra time to drive,” Vargo said.

Tom Hart, director of the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency, said there were some minor accidents early Sunday morning. One rollover accident did occur, but the driver was not injured.

A small power outage occurred in Moundsville early Sunday, but it was restored by American Electric Power workers.

Hart said as of Sunday afternoon the roads were still covered and slick. Snow amounts had reached between 3.5 inches to 7 inches depending on the location.

“Right now we’re not seeing a whole lot of traffic on the roads. We had some essential folks trying to get to work at hospitals, nursing homes,” he said.

Several closures for Monday already were announced Sunday. Hancock, Brooke and Ohio counties all canceled school for Monday, according to the West Virginia Department of Education’s website while Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler all will operate on a non-traditional learning day. Schools throughout Ohio also will be closed Monday. West Liberty University canceled classes and closed its offices for Monday, as did Wheeling University and West Virginia Northern Community College. Bethany College will pivot to remote learning for Monday.

The Marshall County Courthouse and Marshall County Courts are closed for Monday, while law enforcement and emergency services will work as usual. All Ohio County offices will be closed Monday and reopen Tuesday, as will the city of Wheeling’s offices. Trash pickup will also be postponed a day.. Centre Market in Wheeling also will be closed Monday and reopen Tuesday.

The valley seemed to dodge major power outages, though southern West Virginia wasn’t so lucky. American Electric Power reported nearly 46,000 without power from the Charleston area and south. Wet snow, sleet and ice accumulation were the culprits there.

The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning was slated until noon today.

Managing Editor Derek Redd contributed to this report.