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ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. -- Driving to work was not an easy venture for many in the North Country Thursday morning.

With freezing rain and sleet overnight, cars were covered in a thick sheet of ice and roads were slick.

The Superintendant of Highways in Canton said by mid-morning, power lines and trees were covered with at least a quarter inch of ice. All of the schools in St. Lawrence County and Franklin County closed for the day and many town offices closed early.

"The schools made a very smart and quick decision this morning at five o'clock. They closed everything in the county almost immediately and that takes a tremendous burden off of the high way crews that are out there, they're not being pressured to get ahead of the buses," said Terry Billings, Canton Superintendant of Highways.

Billings says Thursday's weather was very similar to the beginning of the ice storm in 1998. He says it is essential to get the ice off the power lines and trees before the winds pick up, as it could bring trees down and cause power outages.

The Highway Department also reminds drivers to go slow and be careful on the icy roads.