Driving Conditions Become Treacherous Locally

The National Weather Service has the Blizzard Warning until 9am for the entire broadcast area. Winds of nearly 50mph in open areas have caused the shutdown of 120 miles of I-35 from Exit 40 on US Highway 14 just south of Owatonna, Minnesota to Ames, Iowa. Whiteout conditions due to high winds and blowing snow are the reason for the closure. The Iowa State Patrol, local county Sheriff’s offices, and area police departments have responded to numerous accidents and stranded motorists. The state patrol reported there were 31 accidents on Sunday with one fatality.

Some area hotels are reporting an increased number of walk in guest check ins as motorists seek shelter from the storm.

The forecast is calling for snowfall totals of three to five inches of new snow. Winds could reach 50 miles per hour from the north during the storm. Hancock and Winnebago County Emergency Manager Andy Buffington stressed that travel should be restricted to absolute emergencies only.

Buffington recommended what amounts to an emergency kit in the car, but only if one had to travel.

While travel during the storm may be out of the question, particularly during the blizzard, there is another aspect that many people do not take into consideration with a storm of this magnitude, which is extended power outages.

Fireplaces should be checked as well before using them as heat sources according to Buffington.

Preparation is key in case an emergency arises according to Buffington.