Circleville, OH – January 7, 2025 – Following a significant snowstorm that blanketed the area, Circleville’s Public Service Director, James Stanley, provided an update on the efforts made by the city’s service crews. According to Stanley, while the roads are now mostly clear, the storm brought substantial snow that crews hadn’t seen in years, making it a challenging event for the team.
“We had a pretty large snow event, one of the biggest we’ve seen in about four to five years. Fortunately, the crews did a great job,” Stanley said. He explained that the snowplows were in operation for 42 hours straight, with crews working in 12-hour shifts. “We had to split the work into two shifts, but we’ve had trucks out there trying to catch spots that were missed and clean up areas.”
Stanely mentioned that there are plows out even tonight.
Stanley mentioned that while complaints are always welcome and addressed, the reality of snow removal is that snow must be pushed to the side of the road, which often ends up covering driveways. “That’s part of life,” he added.
The storm’s severity was underscored by the total snowfall, which Stanley estimated to be around eight inches in Circleville, though nearby Chillicothe received up to 12 inches. The storm also produced heavier, wetter snow that proved more difficult to manage. Despite these conditions, Stanley credited the city’s extensive salt reserves for helping the plows maintain progress. “We used close to 200 tons of salt during this storm, which is a significant amount. Typically, we use around 500 tons in an entire winter season,” he said.
The city currently has a fleet of six snowplow trucks, including four large dump trucks, and two smaller vehicles recently purchased for snow removal. Despite not having enough drivers to operate all of the trucks on both shifts, Stanley noted that crews were able to cover both main roadways and side streets effectively. Additionally, smaller tractors were used in tighter areas where the larger trucks could not reach.
Mayor Michelle Blanton also took a moment to recognize the hard work of the city’s essential workers during such weather events. “Our Safety, Service, and Utilities workers spend extra time away from their families, working long shifts during snowstorms and other natural disasters,” Blanton said. “We want to thank the Circleville Fire Department, Police Department, Service Department, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Water Department, and all other workers throughout the county for their dedication to our community during these storms.”
Blanton urged residents to show appreciation for these workers when they see them out on the job. “Please take a moment to thank these essential workers for everything they do.”
The efforts of Circleville’s snow removal crews and essential service workers during the recent snowstorm were a testament to their commitment to keeping the community safe, even during challenging weather conditions.
