Pittsburgh businesses slammed with snowstorm preppers, Allegheny Co. crews prepare salt trucks to treat 260 miles of roads
Allegheny County’s fleet of salt trucks is loaded and ready to hit the roads on Sunday as Public Works officials expect the snow to pile up on the roads.
The prep for Sunday’s storm is also showing in local businesses, slammed with last-minute shoppers.
“Every customer that checked out, if they even came in for a nut and a bolt, they left with a bag of ice-melter. Everybody did,” Rollier Hardware manager, Dough Satterfield said.
Rollier Hardware was able to secure additional tractor-trailer loads of ice-melter Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday’s storm and the rest of the season.
“This is the first big one that we’ve seen this year,” Satterfield said. “It’s best to buy a little early and be prepared, and not wait until after the fact.”
The snow is expected to accumulate an inch per hour.
“We are anticipating 8 to 10 inches of snow in the area and possibly heavier in certain areas throughout Allegheny County,” Public Works Director Stephen Shanley said.
Shanley said at least 30 trucks will head out on the 260 miles of county roads before the storm comes in. Salt has been loaded, and the plows have been mounted and inspected.
“Our fleet is the best it’s ever been. We monitor it with our fleet manager and our county manager,” Shanley said.
What about your own fleet?
“Once that tread gets down, you’re not safe on the streets, and neither is anyone around you,” Swifty Tire technician Jeffrey Sutton said.
Sutton said the shop has stayed busy, but it’s not too late to swap out your tires for snow or all-season tires.
“If it’s under a half-inch or more, I would call that time to replace,” Sutton said.
Shanley offered some simple advice to drivers, saying if you’re able to, stay home, and if you do have to be out on the roads, keep your distance from other cars.