1st major winter storm hits

By the Daily Times staff
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 12:43 PM CST

A winter storm which closed schools and area businesses has residents contending with heavy accumulations of snow this morning. At top, Brittany Keller clears several inches of snow from her car along Cole Street. (JOHN HART/Daily Times)

With the snow expected to continue throughout the day, highway crews in the city and both counties hit the roadways in full force early this morning for an all day cleanup operation.

Dodge County Emergency Management, Dodge County Sheriff's Department and the highway department spent Monday preparing for what the National Weather Service called the “first major winter storm of the season.”

And it arrived Monday afternoon as predicted and has dumped more than 8 inches of snow in northern Dodge County as of press time today.

According to the gauge at the Watertown wastewater treatment plant, the city was blanketed with 4 inches of snow between 7 a.m. Monday and 7 a.m. today.

The storm started with a freezing rain and snow mixture that continued today with snow. Sleet was also reported in the area when the storm hit Monday afternoon.

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It is possible snow accumulations will be in excess of 8 to 10 inches by the time it is completed by early Wednesday morning. A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“I think the county roadways and state highways are drivable,” Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls said late this morning. “But I credit so many people who chose not to drive,” he said. “With so many businesses and schools closed, it drastically reduced the number of runoffs we encounter during storms like this,” he said.

Dodge County reported about a dozen runoffs this morning, with one rollover accident. No injuries were reported in the accidents.

By staying off the roadways, it is easier for the highway crews to clean up the roadways, Nehls said. But the sheriff voiced concern about nightfall when the winds are expected to increase, causing drifting of roadways.

“Compared to previous winter storms, we have had a drastic reduction in calls for service,” the sheriff said. “Most people were home from work before the snow and many chose not to travel this morning.”

Sgt. Curtis Kleppin of the Watertown Police Department said four vehicle accidents resulting in property damage were reported since the snowstorm started Monday. He added no accidents have been reported between 7 and 11:30 a.m. today.

Dodge County is experiencing more snow in the northern section, the sheriff said. As of midmorning, Fox Lake reported up to 8 inches of snowfall. “As one travels south it doesn't look like as much snow,” he said. The sheriff was thankful the area did not receive as much rain and ice as was predicted.

According to the Dodge County Emergency Management Department, anyone traveling during the storm should have an emergency kit to include warm clothes, blankets, flashlights, a cellular telephone and a shovel. If a vehicle becomes stranded or stuck in the snow be sure, if it is running, to clear the snow from the exhaust and keep a window open slightly to prevent carbon monoxide from entering a vehicle. A full tank of gas is also essential.

According to Jefferson County Sheriff's Department Capt. Pat Brown, it's been a busy approximately 24-hour period for the department - although Brown said it could have been worse.

Brown discussed the snowfall situation with the Daily Times today at 11:15 a.m.

“From 8 a.m. to now, we had nine vehicle run-offs and no injury accidents,” he said, adding there were no property damage accidents during that span of time. “So it's not been as bad as it could have been.”

Brown said from 5 p.m. Monday to 8 a.m. today, there were two property damage accidents and 21 vehicle run-offs. The storm began in Jefferson around 1:30 p.m. Monday, when sleet fell.

“We're not as inundated with accidents, and part of that is due to our belief that people decided to just stay home today and a lot of the schools in the area were closed,” Brown said.

Brown noted just by luck of sheriff's department scheduling, road patrols in Jefferson County were more plentiful today than normal.

“Today we have been fortunate to have six patrol squads on duty and two supervisors on, as well. So we have eight total (cars) on the road. It just worked out that way. We are lucky,” Brown said.

He noted if people need to travel later today they should do so with great care.

“If they have to go out, they should allow themselves extra time, keep a distance between themselves and the people in front of them and just be cautious. Take your time,” he said.