With the inches of snow Northern Kentucky received over the last couple of weeks, cities have been working tirelessly to clear roadways and to keep the streets safe for residents.
In the city of Southgate, as in much of NKY, this effort is still ongoing.
The nature of roads in Southgate leaves many people parking on the street. When snow emergencies are declared, there are often few places residents can move their cars to. The Southgate public works department is continuing to remove piles of snow that have been built up from the initial snow removal.
Equipment like the city’s plows is in need of new blades, and the backhoe needs servicing. Salt for the roads was ordered, but because of the need in other cities, Southgate has yet to receive more.
But Councilman Paul Melville said these needs have not stopped their work.
“We still have enough [salt] here,” Melville stated at the most recent city council meeting. “We’ll be alright with another snow.”
The councilmember said that more snow is expected this coming Friday and Saturday and with that, rain as well.
“We’ve got to make sure that all the roads are clear, storm drains are open, so that we don’t cause flooding or any other damage,” Melville said.
With the continuous snow, the fire department has also been busy.
“One day during the snow,” said Fire Chief John Beatsch. “We made eight EMS runs in a 12-hour period.”
The chief said that because of the snow, the department has been sending out a second unit to remove snow that surrounds residents’ homes.
“A lot of times, we get to somebody’s house and it’s covered with snow,” Beatsch said. “We can’t get the stretcher in and out.”
The city has been posting any snow emergency information to the city website as well as to their Facebook page and urges residents to continue to check these sources for information as the snow continues.