[Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.] COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) -- Gov. Mike DeWine in a Tuesday proclamation declared a state of emergency in snowbelt counties that have been hit hard over the last week by heavy lake-effect snowfall and are expecting more accumulation soon. The Tuesday declaration includes Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties. Ashtabula and Lake counties issued their own emergency declarations earlier this week. Winter Storm Watch: More snow on the way On top of dangerous road conditions, officials are expecting snow squall and wind gusts stronger than 40 mph, with potential gales on Lake Erie, according to a Tuesday news release. "In addition to the support the state has already provided, we anticipate that more state resources will be necessary as the week progresses," DeWine is quoted in a news release. "This proclamation readies our state agencies to assist the impacted counties without delay." Over the last several days, more than 5 feet of snow has fallen in Saybrook Township; more than 4 feet in Geneva; and nearly 3 feet in Ashtabula, according to the latest official totals from the National Weather Service. A winter storm watch for those four counties, as well as Portage, Summit and Trumbull, will take effect on Wednesday afternoon. FOX 8 meteorologists anticipate the Thursday snowfall could hit 5 to 10 inches in some areas. Latest snowfall totals in Northeast Ohio Ohio Department of Transportation snow plow crews have prioritized clearing major roads and allowing access to hospitals, according to the release. Neighboring counties that weren't buried under snow sent heavy equipment to the hardest-hit areas. ODOT has 157 trucks in the snowbelt counties, including nine loaders and 18 dump trucks in Ashtabula County and four loaders and six dump trucks in Lake County, according to the release. The Ohio State Highway Patrol also has more troopers to respond to crashes and assist local police. Ashtabula County has had 33 crashes since Sunday. There were 14 in Lake County; six in Geauga and one in Cuyahoga.