Crews lay salt for first time since 2014 storm

Snow, sleet, and ice: weather conditions Coast residents aren’t used to driving through. The Jackson County Road Department is preparing the roadways for the incoming winter weather.
With near or below freezing temperatures in the forecast, salt is on the roads in Jackson County. It’s something local residents like Rose Vail haven’t seen on their drive home since 2014. “People down here don’t know how to drive, in ice and sleet and all. They tend to go too fast instead of be careful.”
The possibility of ice forming on the Applewhite Causeway Bridge had road department crews taking safety precautions, laying out rock salt on a handful of roadways in Jackson County Thursday for the first time in three years. Jackson County Road Department Superintendent Dan Murphy said, “2014 was the last ice storm we had and we used it then and we used sand also.”
Heavy precipitation, a possibility for snow and near freezing temperatures are predicted in the forecast for Jackson County. Officials say the weather increases the risk of accidents on the road and crews are lying salt to prevent drivers from losing control. “It’s supposed to keep the bridge from freezing so we’re just taking precautionary measures and putting it out early,” said Murphy.
Authorities say if you do happen to drive into ice, the safest way to hit it is to make sure your hands are at ten and two and avoid swerving, also buckling up should already be a no-brainer. “If you don’t need to ride out here in this weather, if it’s going to get as bad as they think it’s going to get, they need to stay off the road if they can,” said Murphy.
While the road department continues to prepare Jackson County as the wintry mix approaches, residents like Rose Vail are excited for weather that doesn’t come to the Coast all too often. “I hope it does snow. I think it’s so pretty. I’m ready for a fireplace.”