Mother Nature wasn’t through with the Tug Valley region Wednesday as rain quickly changed to ice snow, but morning travel today on main highways was normal.

Schools throughout Mingo County and Pike County, Ky. let students go home early yesterday in anticipation of more bad weather. All games were postponed Wednesday night as well.

Once schools closed around 1:30 p.m., Food City Assistant Manager Debbie Chapman said the grocery store at Goody, Ky., became extremely busy with people stocking up on food in case the weather takes a turn for the worse.

“People bought a lot of bread and milk,” she said.

Weather officials warned roads would freeze over as temperatures drop through the night causing poor driving conditions this morning.

Salt trucks were out in full force Wednesday on the Kentucky side.

Information officer for Highway District 12 Sara George said, “We anticipate working 24/7 until this weather event is over, which is predicted to be some time late Wednesday or early Thursday.”

District 12 covers seven counties in eastern Kentucky — Lawrence, Johnson, Martin, Floyd, Knott, Pike, and Letcher.

“The combination of precipitation types made treating and plowing the roads more of a challenge because lanes had to be worked continuously to keep them clear,” she said. “One pass through a road wasn’t sufficient because the precipitation was still coming down. Highways cannot be completely cleared until the rain, snow, freezing rain, or other precipitation stops.”

George said District 12 is in good shape with plenty of material (rock salt, liquid calcium chloride, salt brine, salt pellets) and equipment that is in excellent condition.

Chief District Engineer Kevin Damron said, “We are ready. Our workforce is committed to keeping our roadways as safe and clear as reasonably possible.”

Tuesday Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear declared an emergency. The declaration enabled state resources to be mobilized to assist cities and counties in coping with power outages and other damage caused by ice and snow.

Williamson Fire Department Chief Jerry Mounts cautioned motorists to make sure all automobile tires are properly inflated before attempting to drive on icy roads. He advised to always carry a bag of ice melt in the trunk of the car or he said kitty litter would work for traction.

“The best advice I can give is if the roads are icy, stay home,” he said. “Don’t go out unless absolutely necessary. Employers would rather deal with a shortage of manpower than with an employee involved in a tragic accident.”

Despite the warnings for today, motorists on U.S. 23 and U.S. 119 were traveling at usual speeds on clear roads this morning, with no precipitation insight.