New Philadelphia, Ohio (WJER) - Tuscarawas County’s Emergency Management Agency director is urging residents to get prepared for the winter storm that’s heading our way this weekend. 

Alex McCarthy says heavy snowfall will begin Saturday afternoon, bringing up to a foot of expected accumulation in some areas. He says those amounts could vary based that type of precipitation that ends up coming in, but he says it appears it will be a significant winter event regardless. 

“If we get wetter snow, the depths are not going to be as much as if it’s a dry snow. So if we get dry snow, it’s going to be probably those deeper amounts, around a foot or a little bit more. If it’s a wet snow or even a freezing rain/sleet mix, we’re going to see lesser amounts of four to six inches,” he says.

McCarthy is asking residents to take precautions like making sure they’re stocked up with food and medicine, working flashlights with extra batteries, and checking on elderly neighbors. He says it’s best to just stay home during the storm if possible.

“Our biggest concern would be dangers involving transportation,” he says. “The roads with this much snow are going to be hazardous until they can get them cleaned off so we recommend staying off those roads until they’re cleared.”

McCarthy says the EMA will be posting updates on social media along with the sheriff’s office and health department to keep people informed during the storm. 

WJER RADIO