UPDATE: As of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, Muskingum County has been downgraded to a level one snow emergency.

Muskingum County is now under a level two snow emergency as declared by Sheriff Matt Lutz.

Reports of crashes and vehicles off the roadway have been coming in steadily throughout the evening, according to scanner traffic.

Additional snowfall and freezing rain is expected throughout the evening and early into Tuesday morning.

During a level two snow emergency, roads are considered hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy.

Only those who feel it is absolutely necessary to drive should be out on the roadways, according to the State of Ohio’s Snow Emergency Classifications Guidebook.

Residents should contact their employers to see if they should report to work before leaving.

Should motorists still need to travel, they are advised to use extreme caution.

Muskingum County joins seven adjacent counties, Coshocton, Fairfield, Guernsey, Hocking, Morgan, Noble and Perry who had previously moved to a level 2 snow emergency.

Licking County also upgraded to a level 2 around the same time as Muskingum.

Knox County remains at a level 1 snow emergency as of 8:10 p.m.