While southeast Iowa has yet to experience its first heavy snowfall of the winter, residents are reminded of the snow plowing process on roads.

Washington County Engineer Jacob Thorius says for snow plowing, the county has 11 motor graders, nine tandem dump trucks and two pickup trucks to tackle any snow storm that may hit the county. Anytime there is more than one inch of accumulation, crews will be sent out to clear county roads for residents. Thorius reminds all drivers to be safe when out on the roads during snowfall and to be respectful of workers clearing the roads, “Slow down, that really helps. Because you can’t stop as fast when it’s snow packed. Give us room when we’re working. When you see snow equipment don’t ride right behind us and get in our blind spots. Or even where the snow is swirling behind us is hard to see. So give us room to work, be patient and have time to get to where you’re going.”

Thorius says paved routes are the county’s priority before gravel roads and  that because the secondary roads maintenance building is  in the city of Washington, the staff typically addresses routes closest to the city and expands from there in case of a widespread event.Normal hours of operation for county roads employees are between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. and the amount of trucks sent out on the roads will be based on the severity of the storm. Thorius asks that residents be patient when clearing roads, as wind can play a big factor in the process.