First responder access restored to this Columbus area following winter snow storm

Access has been restored to the Bunker Hill and Benning Hill areas in Columbus following 3 inches of snow in the area, according to local officials.

Prior to Thursday afternoon, the snow storm that swept in Wednesday had left first responders unable to get into those areas. Even though responders were able to get there, police suggested people should not drive due to ice patches.

A post at 9:51 a.m. Wednesday on the Columbus Police Department Facebook page first indicated that officers couldn’t get to those areas.

Columbus Police Department Public Information Officer Brittany Santiago told the Ledger-Enquirer the issues was due to ice on the roads.

“Crews are spread out across the city responding to priority calls, but the steep hills and icy conditions in these areas make it extremely dangerous to navigate,” Santiago said at the time. “Conditions are so hazardous that even our officers are having difficulty making it past Northstar Drive.”

She said safety is the department’s top priority for citizens and officers.

Santiago said if you must travel, drive slowly, avoid hard braking and leave plenty of space between vehicles.

Emergency Management Director Chance Corbett told the Ledger-Enquirer public works crews were trying to salt and sand the affected roads.

This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM.