S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – Will we see a delayed White Christmas?
“This is looking like it’s probably going to be a statewide event. The storm is going to cross Pennsylvania, West to East,” said Ron Young, Press Officer for PennDOT. “A mix of precipitation, bit of snow, bit of sleet, and ice.”
The makings of a wintry mix, creating some not-so-nice conditions for people traveling for the holiday weekend.
“Every storm that comes in, we treat it like a major storm,” said Miguel Bonilla, Chief Maintenance Supervisor of the Allentown Public Works Department, Streets Bureau.
Whether it’s a light coating or the streets are covered in ice, road crews are putting in the extra hours.
Bonilla said the trucks rolled out, before a flake was in sight.
“There’s 36 trucks out. There’s going to be all around the clock coverage, with the help of other departments,” said Bonilla.
It’s all hands on deck and wheels on the road for PennDOT road crews too.
“We’ll have the vehicles and the equipment operating 24/7,” said Young. “Looks like the Lehigh Valley is going to get more ice than snow. So we do have concerns over that.”
Young is urging folks to stay home, but if they can’t, they need to be alert and have a plan.
“If you go out and weather like this, you’re not going to be able to drive your normal speeds or make maneuvers as you normally would during dry, ideal conditions,” said Young.
Drivers should keep their cars free of ice and snow, take it slow, have a full gas tank and emergency kit.
“It’s going to be a busy storm,” said Young.
Officials said drivers should also maintain a distance of at least six cars from road crews.
“We’re in action. Trucks are loaded, chains are set, and we’re ready to go,” said Bonilla.