Explainer: ‘Snow emergency’ levels

A snow storm in Cincinnati can be so complicated.

Will schools close two days before it arrives, or just one? Should you buy six gallons of milk, or is five enough? And when, exactly, should you go into full panic mode and barricade yourself in the basement?

One good way to tell how bad things are – and how worried you should be – is to check the “snow emergency” level in your county. The system is supposed to help manage traffic during the storm and give residents some guidance about the dangers they’d encounter if they ventured into the icy tundra.

Most counties in Ohio and Kentucky use some variation of the same system, ranking the seriousness of the storm in three levels. Here’s a breakdown of those levels and what they mean, based on Hamilton County’s guidelines:

Level One: “Roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Use caution when traveling.”

This one probably isn’t going to convince the boss to let you work from home, though the kids might get a snow day if the storm hits at the right time.

Level Two: “Roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work.”

Conditions are getting worse and you should stay home if you can. This one has the added benefit of giving you permission to call your boss to see if you can work from home. So, you know, give it a try. And you’d better make arrangements for the kids, because they probably won’t be going to school.

Level Three: “All municipal, township, county and state roads are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest.”

Yes, you heard that right: You can get arrested just for driving. This is a real thing, thanks to a state law that allows county sheriffs to temporarily declare emergencies, close roads and do what’s necessary for the “preservation of the public peace.”

County governments are so serious about this that they’ve given essential employees a special sticker to put on their ID badges, which gives them a pass if police stop them for traveling during this type of emergency.

“It’s my get out of jail free card,” said Hamilton County Administrator Christian Sigman.

As for the rest of us, better to just stay home and drink some of that milk you’ve stockpiled in the fridge.