Large plow and salt trucks again took Cass County roadways by force Friday morning, after the region took one last pounding during a week of lake-effect snowfall and arctic wind chills.

By Friday, the National Weather Service reported that snow depths as high as 14 inches were recorded in parts of the county. Dowagiac Union Schools and Cassopolis Public Schools were among the local districts that had called off classes for the third consecutive day.

Despite the snow encrusted roadways and white out conditions greeting travelers throughout the week, it appears that less drivers are finding themselves in dire straights compared to this time last year, when the region was hit with a similar prolonged winter event.

“In conditions like this, you’re still going to have slide offs, or accidents,” said Cass County Emergency Manager David Smith. “But we’re not seeing the call volume that we had last year.”

Helping matters this year are the early closing announcements from local agencies, such as the Cass County COA or Family Clinic, which has prevented some residents from making a potentially dangerous drive, Smith said.

Another thing that has helped has just been simple experience, following last year’s protracted winter season, Smith added.

“After the events last year, people are paying more attention, and are more prepared for these types of conditions,” he said.

The county emergency management office serves a crucial role in these types of weather events, monitoring weather conditions, coordinating plans for response with other county entities, and, perhaps most importantly, disseminating information to both local officials and the public at large.

During the last year or so, the most effective way of reaching the latter group has been through social media sites like Facebook, which allows users to share press releases and info bursts with their own network of friends, Smith said.

“It’s been beneficial to us to be there,” Smith said. “I can put out a post and in a few hours I can reach thousands of people.”

With forecasts calling for conditions to improve by early next week, it appears that this latest bout with nature appears to be winding down. However, Smith encourages residents to continue to follow some basic safety tips during this time of year, including:

• Staying indoors, whenever possible

• Watching weather reports

• Keeping an emergency kit inside vehicles that includes extra clothes, blankets, water, etc.

• Making sure that cell phones are charged before traveling

• Having a healthy amount of fuel within the car at all times