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CLINTON, Tennessee — After inches of snow fell on East Tennessee and ice developed across the region, leaders said many roads were still frozen over days later. They said most main roads are safe and clear, and officials haven't named any spots with serious issues.
But in rural areas, especially on backroads, they said inches of snow and ice still remain.
Johnny Golden, the director of transportation for Anderson County Schools, said this is one of the deciding factors when it comes to canceling school in severe weather.
“There’s a lot of sideroads around here that the buses do go, that we can’t take that chance of putting the bus on there with the students. So it's better for us to recommend for school to be closed,” he said.
Golden said dozens of roads in the county are covered in slush, snow and ice. Even if cars can drive on a road, it might be dangerous for a school bus to drive it due to difference in the bus' size and weight. Shaded areas can also prevent the ice and snow from freezing, he said.
"It's not melting. The temperature right now is 44 degrees and the road looks clear, but behind the trees, underneath the trees, [the ice] don’t go nowhere," he said.
Golden surveys the roads during severe weather and makes a recommendation to the Anderson County Director of Schools about whether or not it's safe to have class.
He said his first priority is the safety of all students, and asked for patience from parents. Even if the roads are fine in one neighborhood, he said, they might not be said in other areas in the county.
Johnny Golden, the director of transportation for Anderson County Schools, said this is one of the deciding factors when it comes to canceling school in severe weather.
“There’s a lot of sideroads around here that the buses do go, that we can’t take that chance of putting the bus on there with the students. So it's better for us to recommend for school to be closed,” he said.
Golden said dozens of roads in the county are covered in slush, snow and ice. Even if cars can drive on a road, it might be dangerous for a school bus to drive it due to difference in the bus' size and weight. Shaded areas can also prevent the ice and snow from freezing, he said.
"It's not melting. The temperature right now is 44 degrees and the road looks clear, but behind the trees, underneath the trees, [the ice] don’t go nowhere," he said.
Golden surveys the roads during severe weather and makes a recommendation to the Anderson County Director of Schools about whether or not it's safe to have class.
He said his first priority is the safety of all students, and asked for patience from parents. Even if the roads are fine in one neighborhood, he said, they might not be said in other areas in the county.