A powerful winter storm that caused blizzard conditions in parts of the Plains and Upper Midwest has finally moved out of the region, but not before blasting it with heavy snow and high winds that led to whiteout conditions and treacherous travel.
The blizzard rapidly strengthened as it moved across the region Wednesday, pulling in widespread snow and damaging winds on the backside of the low-pressure system.
The Kansas Department of Transportation closed several roads and highways across the state on Wednesday, including Interstate 70, due to deteriorating conditions.
The highway has since been reopened.
The same took place to the north in Nebraska, with the state’s Department of Transportation announcing the reopening of Interstate 80 after it was closed during the storm.
Officials across the region had urged people to stay off the roads and stay home during the storm. However, numerous crashes were reported in Nebraska and Kansas.
The Nebraska State Patrol said a trooper’s vehicle was severely damaged when another vehicle crashed into it on Wednesday.
Officials said the trooper was helping another driver south of Fremont when the incident occurred. Luckily, the trooper was not in the cruiser at the time and was not injured.
Crashes were also reported in Kansas, with the state’s Highway Patrol reporting injuries in crashes that took place in several areas. One of those injuries occurred when strong winds caused a tractor-trailer to overturn on I-70 east of Salina.
FOX Weather meteorologist Jane Minar has been in Sioux City, Iowa, and was pelted by heavy, wet snow and strong winds.
“It really doesn’t matter how much snow you’re going to get,” she said Wednesday. “These winds are so strong that even as the snow falls, you know, it’s going to be blowing around, reducing visibility.”
Minar noted that crews had been busy working to prepare roads ahead of the winter weather, but despite those efforts, snow covered area roads and highways.
“Unfortunately, the grim reality is that it is a dangerous commute,” Minar continued. “And this is going to stay with us all day long.”
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