(1-11-25) With the projected winter weather conditions being forecasted, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens of the meanings behind the different snow levels. During the winter months, the Mercer County Sheriff may issue Snow Alert Levels for Mercer County roadways. These levels are for unincorporated areas. Snow Alerts are issued to keep the public advised of changing road conditions and for the safety of the public and working public safety forces.

As a reminder, please do not call our office looking for road condition updates or to see if we are on a snow level. When you call our office to ask these questions or other non-emergency questions, you are preventing our dispatchers from answering 9-1-1 lines during actual emergencies. We will put out information on our social media, Nixle, and the Sheriff’s App.

You can sign up for Nixle on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.mercercountysheriffohio.gov. This will give instant alerts when the levels are declared or changed. Your employer has the ability to designate you as “essential personnel” for example, doctors, nurses, critical maintenance at facilities, which would permit you to go to work, even in a level 3, without fear of arrest. Your employer should provide you with certification that you are essential. Farm work is considered essential, providing you are in the process of legitimate farm work. Driving between your properties, etc.

When Mercer County is on a level 3, we pull all cruisers off roadways as they are impassable and only respond to emergencies.