Postal workers aren't the only people who face the elements as they complete their "appointed rounds" - even in the kinds of conditions that all but paralyzed the county this week.

Garbage collection continued throughout the county Wednesday in near blizzard conditions since refuse collection, like the delivery of mail, doesn’t wait for good weather.

“We’re just like the postal service,” said Jack Dingess, operations manager for Maple Disposal in Maple City. “We’ve had a few calls today from customers wondering if we’ll be out. We’re out every day — except Sundays.”

Moisture from the Gulf Coast mixed with Arctic air from the north Tuesday evening as temperatures dropped from the mid 40s to below zero in less than a 24-hour period. Winds as high as 50 mph combined with snow to plug roads and bring northwest Michigan to its knees Wednesday morning.

“It’s big,” Dingess said of working in these conditions. “You’re trying to be as safe as you can be, push yourself to keep going, to drive safely and not get frostbite.”

All county schools were closed Wednesday due to the weather. Classes at Northwestern Michigan College were also canceled Wednesday morning. A determination on whether evening classes would be canceled was expected to be made at 3 p.m.

Suttons Bay Superintendent Mike Murray said three factors influenced his decision to close his school’s doors Wednesday.

“The main factor this morning was poor visibility,” he said. “But there was also the windchill to consider.”

Drivers pulling to the side of the road to pick up passengers could have difficulty seeing students at the roadside.

“The windchill can affect students standing outside waiting for buses that are delayed because of the weather,” he said.

Murray said ice-covered roads were also considered when closing school.

“You have to remember that buses don’t just start and keep going. They start and stop, slowing down to pick up students. When the road is slippery, the likelihood of sliding into students is increased,” the superintendent said.

Due to white-out and blizzard conditions the Michigan State Police and state Department of Transportation issued a civil emergency message Wednesday morning recommending that motorist stay off roads to ease the work of municipal crews clearing roadways. If travel was necessary, the department urged motorists to remain alert of potential hazards such as stranded vehicles in the roadway.

The county Road Commission had a full slate of trucks on the road Wednesday.

“Our biggest problem areas are those that are open,” commission Clerk Joe Nedow said, adding those spots are more likely to drift shut. “Poor visibility is also making it tough for them.”

The cold snap presented another problem for crews, whose trucks’ hydraulic systems became sluggish in temperatures hovering at zero.

“We’ve had mechanics go out to fix them on the spot,” Nedow said.

Lake effect snow showers were expected to continue throughout yesterday and ease briefly before another low pressure system moves south, providing additional chances for accumulating snow.

“We’re not thinking about that yet. We’re just trying to get through today,” Nedow said.