SOUTHWEST MI (WKZO AM/FM) — It’s an ice-filled commute throughout Southwest Michigan.
The wintry mix is coming down as freezing rain and sleet, causing a thin sheet of ice on area roadways.
— SCHOOL CLOSINGS —
Dozens of schools have called off classes Tuesday morning including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Comstock, Parchment, and Portage Public Schools to name a few.
The updated list can always be found here.
Representative Ben Frederick is sponsoring a bill that would allow school districts to take the snowdays called during the Polar Vortex off the snowdays they are allowed by the state board of education.
But that would only impact two or three days while some districts have already called over a dozen snow days this year and will have to make up for the class time they have lost.
— STAY OFF THE ROADS —
Kalamazoo Township Trustee Nicolette Leigh says it might be best to just stay off the roads as much as possible so drivers don’t put themselves and the officials that have to help them in danger.
State Police had five patrol vehicles damaged and two Troopers injured just in this corner of the state alone during the week of the Polar Vortex.
— BE PREPARED —
With this icy precipitation, Southwest Michigan could soon experience what Grand Rapids and West Michigan just went through.
Officials are reminding residents to be prepared in case power outages occur due to the ice and sleet.
Charge laptops and cell phones, make sure TV’s, computers, and other electronic items are on a surge protector, have a flashlight, radio, extra batteries, and extra food and water on hand.
Some West Michigan residents went almost a week without power beginning last Wednesday and shelters were set up to help those without heat.
(copy written by John McNeill)
