Photo Provided This photo taken by the Ohio Department of Transportation shows that Interstate 70 near the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville appears to be mostly cleared of snow by around 7:30 a.m. Friday.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The first snowfall of the year left roads slick Thursday evening into early Friday morning, leading to multiple crashes in Belmont County.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported six crashes from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. Friday in the county due to the weather and poor road conditions. Lt. Maurice Waddell, commander of the St. Clairsville Post, said all the accidents were single-vehicle crashes with no injuries reported.

“It was mostly property damage in each case,” he said of the accidents.

Waddell said five of the crashes occurred along Interstate 70, while the sixth was along U.S. 40 near the post in St. Clairsville.

Belmont County was under a Level 1 Snow Emergency on Thursday because of the storm.

“Roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are icy and drivers are warned to be cautious,” the sheriff’s office stated upon announcing the snow emergency. Those declarations are the responsibility of the sheriff’s department.

Chief Deputy James Zusack said the advisory was canceled Friday afternoon.

Waddell encourages motorists to reduce speed when inclement weather is present to improve roadway safety.

“Allow enough distance between them and another vehicle in case of a sudden stop or if another vehicle were to lose control of their vehicle, they can slow down or come to a stop,” he said.

Waddell noted that the Ohio Department of Transportation did a “good job” clearing the roads for travel.

As of 10 a.m. Friday, the state routes and interstates were mostly clear; however, he still urges caution while traveling as roads could remain slick in some areas due to the low temperatures.

ODOT reported 91 crews were out plowing and treating roads by 7:30 a.m. Friday in District 11, which includes Belmont, Harrison, Carroll, Columbiana, Holmes, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties. Lauren Borell, public information officer for ODOT District 11, said crews were busy through the night and into the morning.

“Our interstate routes were looking pretty good early in the morning (Friday); however, there is still a lot more work to do on our secondary routes,” she said, adding that Friday’s sunshine was helping to melt the excess snow from the roads.

“It’s been a quiet winter so far and everything went well for our first significant winter event of the year. The crews did a really good job,” she added.

In total, Borrell said Belmont and Harrison counties each received 1.5 inches of snow between Thursday evening and Friday morning, and Jefferson County had around 2.5 inches.

Borell said there was one accident involving an ODOT vehicle that occurred late Thursday night on Ohio 7 in Steubenville.

An ODOT truck was plowing the passing lane when a motorist attempted to pass the truck and struck its wing plow. No one was injured in the accident, she said.

“It’s a reminder – we can’t say this enough – when we’re out there it is so important to give us plenty of room when we’re out there working. if you do pass or want to pass us, go slow and make sure the area is clear to move through,” she said.

Borell said crews would continue with their efforts throughout the day Friday.