Pursuant to Ohio Attorney General Opinion 86-023 the County Sheriff may declare a Snow Emergency and temporarily close county and township roads within the Sheriff's jurisdiction for the preservation of public safety and public peace. (ORC 311.07)

Ohio Attorney General Opinion 97-015 allows the County Sheriff to declare a snow emergency and temporarily close State and Municipal roads within his jurisdiction.

In Van Wert County, a Snow Emergency means:

All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel.  No one should be out on the roadways during the snow emergency due to conditions being life threatening.  Anyone traveling on roadways during a snow emergency is subject to arrest.  

A Van Wert County Snow Emergency is a Level 3 snow emergency as used by some Ohio counties that use the snow level system.  Van Wert County does not use the "Snow  Level System"  for snow emergencies due to the public confusion it creates.

Current emergency conditions will be listed on this page and on the front page of this website.