Winter storm hits area
By April Baumgarten
BHG News Service
The first major storm of the season continues to play out across the state, and officials are reminding residents to "think things out" before they head out.
"The important thing – I think the Highway Patrol has said this a number of times – is slow down," Oliver County Emergency Manager Sandy Olin said. "I think we kind of forget what happened the year before by the time this comes up again. We forget to have adequate distance to brake and all those good things that are required normally."
Residents faced a three-day barrage of snow beginning Monday. The storm was expected to drop up to 8 inches by Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Bismarck. The storm put most of the state in a winter storm warning through Wednesday. That included Mercer, McLean and Oliver counties.
"Of course, everyone should use their own judgment on whether or not they should be out there, but there is definitely going to be dangerous traveling conditions out there now through the weekend," meteorologist Michael Matthews said. "
The storm also brought freezing rain early Monday morning, making roads slick in some areas. A travel alert was issued across the state Tuesday by the North Dakota Department of Transportation due to icy conditions, low visibility from blowing and drifting snow and hazardous driving conditions. The State Highway Patrol has reported multiple storm-related crashes.
A travel alert means motorists can still travel but they may encounter challenging weather and should use caution.
