Wednesday’s steady rains caused flooding all over the county and region, making driving quite hazardous for many in the area.

Later in the evening, the Tri-State was pounded by another round of winter weather, adding high snow to the already high water in some places.

Both of these made for some very treacherous roadways on Thursday.

While the Ohio Department of Transportation and the county garage worked to clear priority roadways for much of the day, there are many roads where plows haven’t cleared. Restricted and closed roads also hampered some efforts to plow.

Falling temperatures made for icy and slick driving conditions and many citizens wondered why the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office didn’t follow suit with surrounding counties like Gallia, Jackson, Meigs and Vinton to issue a Level 3 snow emergency.

A Level 3 means no one should be driving unless it is absolutely necessary to travel or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest.

Lawrence held steady with a Level 2 warning throughout Thursday.

Sheriff Jeff Lawless explained via social media that closing roads “hurt commerce” and “society must continue to function through a snow storm.”

While these statements are true, citizens must use common sense when it comes to driving during hazardous conditions. Each individual must decide if his or her vehicle can tackle the roadways and most importantly, if it is worth the risk to get from point A to point B.

Emergency levels are no substitute for common sense.