BLOOMSBURG —The big winter storm has begun dumping its snow on the area, but so far it hasn't shut down any roads in Columbia County, emergency management officials said.

Still, they're asking the public to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.

Overnight, a line of cars got stuck on Route 42 near Abraczinskas nursery, said Columbia County Emergency Management Coordinator Jennifer Long. But after PennDOT came through, they were able to continue. A PennDOT truck also got stuck on top of River Hill, but that was clear by morning, she said.

Still, reports of stuck cars abounded in Berwick and Bloomsburg on police radio.

And Long stressed that people should avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. If they are on the roads, they should give snowplows a wide berth, she said.

PennDOT's Dave Thompson repeated the same message.

"Our operators have been out all night, but given the intensity of the storym, roads are going to be snow covered," Thompson said. Plows have been prioritizing roads based on traffic, but even the busiest highways are likely to have some snow on them. "It's just really coming down."

On Interstate 80, the governor has reduced the speed limit to 45 mph and restricted tandem truck trailers, empty trailers, towed trailers, buses, recreational vehicles and motorcycles from using the road, according to a press release.