GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — As a projected winter storm approaches the lakeshore, local crews say they’re ready for a long stretch of plowing.

Storm Team 8 expects the snow to stick around through Monday. Some lakeshore communities could see a foot of snow.

“I’d say our concern level is always pretty high,” said Alex Doty, the communications director for the Ottawa County Road Commission. “We take all these winter weather events seriously; we treat them all the same regardless.”

The Ottawa County Road Commission plans on hammering away at higher volume roads first: state routes and those with lots of traffic. That’s why they’re asking people to be patient, as it could take a while to get to your street, especially in rural areas.

“If it’s snowing hard consistently over a longer period, that prolongs the amount of time it can take for crews to come and get everything plowed out safely,” Doty said. “In the initial 24 hours, if it continues to snow and snow nonstop, those efforts are gonna be on those main routes until they can make their way in and make a dent in things.”

This year, there’s a new state law requiring drivers to stay at least 200 feet away from snowplows unless they are passing. That’s about 12 car lengths, Doty said.

“It’s safer because our drivers they have a limited field of view as it is in (that) heavy equipment,” Doty said. “When you add the snow into the mix, it makes it even more difficult.”

If you come up to a snowplow at an intersection, the road commission asks that you stay at least 20 feet away.

“Just because we can be backing up and making movements that might not be anticipated,” Doty said.

Doty said if you don’t have to drive, it’s best to stay home. If you do, he advised driving slow, vigilantly and keeping an eye on your surroundings. He also recommended giving others plenty of room.

“I’d say five or six car lengths away just to be on the safe side possibly more,” Doty said. “The more the better. You don’t know what’s going to happen with the vehicle in front of you, so you just want to make sure you want to keep plenty of distance away.”

POST-THANKSGIVING TRAVELERS TRY TO BEAT THE SNOW

Sunday, dozens of people made their way home as the Thanksgiving holiday came to an end. Rick Pawlak was fueling up at the Love’s Travel Stop outside of Kalamazoo before making the five-hour drive to Wisconsin after seeing his kids in Byron Center.

“Two days ago, (roads) were pretty slick in town, the main highways — awesome. They did a great job cleaning the roads,” he said. 

“We’re leaving today because tomorrow is forecasted to be possibly worse with possibly 7 inches of snow. So we figured we head out today. We are going back to Hartford, Wisconsin,” Pawlak added.

Other people were skipping the long drive for a flight home. Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport officials said they did not see many delays for outgoing flights.

Andrew Rosine said weather and a mechanical issue delayed his flight, making him extend his Thanksgiving plans by a day.

“Our connection was going to be too tight once we landed in Detroit so we already rebooked so we’ll fly out of Kalamazoo tomorrow morning,” said the Houston-bound traveler. “So thankfully we travel quite a bit, so it’s easy to get something rebooked on the phone but for folks who can’t do that, it’s a little more difficult. I can understand how this weekend is pretty trying, trying to get home for the holidays.”