Get out the ruler.

The Tri-State went to bed Thursday night with snow still falling, and awoke this morning to an accumulation of anywhere from 3 to 5 inches.

The snowfall forced the closing of all county schools, public and private. It also made travel difficult, if not impossible, for many motorists.

"There are several incidents where cars went into ditches, but we have had no major accidents," Ohio State Highway Patrol dispatcher Chad Adkins said.

Other drivers said the experience of getting to work this morning was made better by faithful highway crews.

"The state is pretty good about keeping the hills clean," said Laura McComas of Scottown, who works in Ironton. "There was some snow on the road but I didn't even put it in four-wheel drive. I did put it in four-wheel drive to get home last night, though. The roads were snow covered then."

The snow forced municipal, county and state road crews to start work early Thursday and continue on through the morning hours today.

"The city crew was out until 2:30 or 3 o'clock this morning," Ironton police officer Grover Carter said. "There were places where they had to get out and hand shovel, it was that bad, places in Indian Hills and Zenith Heights."

Carter said there were a few accidents in the city Thursday evening but no major ones through 8:30 a.m. this morning.

Ohio Department of

Transportation District 9 Lawrence County Garage Transportation Manager Bill Patrick said 12 crews remained on duty this morning "until we get the icy spots off the roads and the berms kicked back," he said.

"Every road has a few icy spots where the traffic has packed it down. We're trying to get those and the slush off and then clean the berms so the snow won't melt and refreeze tonight."

ODOT recommends the following safe driving tips:

4Reduce your speed;

4Allow additional time to arrive at your destination;

4Maintain a safe following distance when traveling behind other vehicles;

4Avoid passing other vehicles, especially large or oversized vehicles;

4Be cautious of "black ice" and

4Pay special attention when driving over bridges and overpasses.