SNOW PREDICTED FOR LINCOLN COUNTY

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLN COUNTY -- People across Lincoln County may be in for a surprise early Tuesday morning.

Anywhere between two and five inches of snow is predicted to fall in Lincoln and surrounding counties, making the evnet the first snowfall of 2009 and the first significant snowfall in years.

And while residents anxiously anticipate the white powder falling, county emergency management director Susan Spake said her office is making preparations too.

"In the event we have weather, the county's emergency operations center will be open," said Spake by telephone Monday night.

Spake added officials with the state Department of Transportation in Lincoln County are getting ready as well.

"They will be monitoring EMS and fire department frequencies starting 8pm Tuesday," said Spake. "If things start getting worse, like a lot of accidents, they'll start treating the roads."

Spake said the best defense to keep from having an accident in the event of snow is to stay indoors.

"Go into work a little later, for example," said Spake. "Travel may be bad, especially from 5am to sunrise. If you have to go out, try to be aware of slick spots and allow for some extra time to get where you're going."

With temperatures to be in the teens early Wednesday, Spake added slick spots may be prevelent on Lincoln County roads for a second day in a row."

And if things get really bad?

"If people don't have to go out, don't go out," said Spake.