Snowy weather depleting county salt supplies

LAPORTE, Ind. -- Because Michiana has had so much snow so far this winter season, LaPorte County's road crews are using more salt than normal. They're not out of supplies yet, but unless the weather lets up, they could be in trouble.



"It snows, and snows, and snows. It doesn't really accumulate that much, but it's just a nuisance," said Bob Young, LaPorte County Highway Superintendent.



Young is responsible for determining how much salt to use and when.



That job hasn't been easy this winter. The county has used more salt so far this season than normal.



Right now they're waiting on a new shipment.



"It's a little nerve-racking at times. Are they going to get it to us or not? But I'm confident that they will," said Young.



There have delivery delays to area highway departments.



Young says the department's supply isn't critically low yet, but if the weather keeps up he may have to reach out to county officials for more funds.



"It's shaping up to be a good old-fashioned winter. We've got at least two months of hard winter in front of us. So, I guess we'll just have to keep doing what we do. Plugging away at it and see what happens,' said Young.



Young says in the 30 years he's been here, LaPorte County has never run out of salt. If that were to happen, they would have to call neighboring counties for some help.