The early March storm brings heavy snow, strong winds, and treacherous road conditions across much of the state. “So far a lot of reports of slide-offs, really kind of across the state, cars in ditches.” Tod Pritchard is with Wisconsin Emergency Management.
Earlier this morning, a semi crashed into the Red Cedar River in Dunn County off Interstate 94. The truck driver was killed. It’s not just the roads; many flights have been delayed or cancelled. “You know O’Hare is kind of the hub of a lot of our activity around here and of course when they start cancelling flights that affects a lot of airports around Wisconsin and that’s certainly happening today … air travel is pretty tough right now, too.”
All flights from Milwaukee which stop at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport have been cancelled for this afternoon through late tonight.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Madison was activated to monitor the storm and provide any requested assistance. The EOC is staffed with personnel from Wisconsin Emergency Management, National Guard, State Patrol and Department of Transportation. Heavy snow will continue throughout the evening.
The storm moved into the western region of Wisconsin early this morning and moved across the southern portion of the state, getting heavy at times. Parts of the Badger State received 8-10 inches of snow, southwestern Wisconsin got 6-8″ and the southeast area was expected to get 2-5, according to officials at the EOC.
Pritchard says it’s always a great idea to be prepared with an emergency kit in your car at all times, it could be a while before responders arrive. Visit ReadyWisconsin for more information. This latest winter storm comes during National Severe Weather Preparedness Week (March 3-9, 2013). Visit 511wi.gov for the latest road conditions or call 511.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:29