Video: Monroe County Road Crews Clearing Streets

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MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s snow day number two for North Mississippi and Alabama. Kids are out of school and many businesses remain closed.
For most people, it’s another chance to build a snowman but for road crews, it’s another day of hard work in efforts to keep drivers safe.

A layer of snow still covers north Mississippi more than 24-hours after a winter storm dumped up to 10 inches of snow in Monroe County.

For kids, and even some adults, it’s a time to enjoy this winter wonderland.

“I think the snow is cool because you get to make snowmen and throw snowballs at all your friends. It’s like your in a magical snow world,” said Harmony Fields, who is enjoying the snow day.

While some are out playing, it’s a different story for road crews.

The weight of the heavy, wet snow is bringing down trees. The men worked nearly 12 hours straight to clear the roads.

“We started having our first calls of trees across the road,” said Monroe County Road Manager, Sonny Clay.

As road conditions improve, crews continue clearing fallen trees and large branches.

“Pine needles and cedar trees in particular, right now, you don’t have any leaves on oak trees, so they don’t hold as much weight as a pine tree would with the needles and they’re notorious for snapping off and breaking real quick,” added Clay.

Now, the big concern turns to black ice.

“We’re concerned right now about all the snow not melting. We have freezing temps predicted for a 12 hour period and if this stuff melts and freezes back, black ice could be terrible in the morning,” said Clay.

The Monroe County road crews were assisted by sheriff’s deputies to keep the roads clear and respond to calls to keep everyone safe.