COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several inches of snow and ice blanketed parts of Ohio over the weekend. Now that temperatures are rising slightly and the winter weather is melting away, potholes are popping up all across Ohio.

What You Need To Know

  • Potholes are a result of the freezing and thawing process

  • ODOT has used over 1100 tons of asphalt on potholes already this year 

  • An ODOT crew was hit patching potholes Monday afternoon 

  • Suspension issues can be a result of hitting a pothole

Potholes are the result of the freezing and thawing cycle that happens when roads get large amounts of snow and ice.

“Anytime you're talking about this freeze-thaw cycle, which we’re really expected to see through the better part of this week, it's prime condition for potholes,” said Brooke Ebersole, the public information officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)—Columbus. 

ODOT can be found patching potholes on interstates, highways, and U.S. routes. While in the process of patching the holes, many drivers have already become victims of the damage they can cause.

Dustin Keller, the owner of Excite Auto Repair, said the shop has received upward of 36 calls every day, and in prime pothole season, he doesn’t expect that number to decline any time soon.

“Dropping down into a pothole or the control arm dropping into the pavement, it can cause your steering to be off or your steering components to be bent,” said Keller. “This weekend we were given five, six-hour ETAs because the manpower wasn’t out there.”

ODOT reported using 1,152  tons of asphalt this winter. The same crews that were out laying salt and plowing snow are now out there patching potholes. Ebersole said it's important to report the potholes but also give the crews time to get out there.

“Patching potholes is the No. 1 priority when it is not snowing because it can present a challenge out there for drivers out there on the roadways, but again, remember there’s a myriad of other things that these crews are responsible for that's not patching potholes,” said Ebersole. “It's so pivotal that when you do see a pothole you report it to transportation.oh.gov/damagereports because those reports come right here to the garage, then it goes right to the crew out there patching with that cold patch asphalt.” 

An ODOT crew was hit Monday afternoon, patching potholes on U.S. 35 in Fayette County. While no one had life-threatening injuries, Ebersole reminds drivers that it’s just a yellow line between you and the crews.

“It's that much more important for you to remember to slow down, move over a lane, move over two lanes if you can because it's pivotal for our drivers' safety,” said Ebersole. 

You can report a pothole here. You can also use the website to report damage to your vehicle. 

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