Storm promises messy, dangerous commute in Midwest

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By BARBARA RODRIGUEZ

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A major snow storm that shuttered airports in Missouri, stranded truckers in Illinois and buried parts of Kansas in knee-deep powder was promising a messy and possibly dangerous commute Friday morning as it crawled northeast.

Wind gusts of 30 mph were expected to churn-up snow that fell overnight in southern Wisconsin, where forecasters were warning Milwaukee-area residents of slick roads and reduced visibility. The same was expected in northeast Iowa, where residents could wake up to as much as 7 inches of new snow, while nearly 200 snowplows were deployed overnight in Chicago.

At a Travel Centers of America truck stop in the central Illinois city of Effingham, all of the 137 parking spaces were filled by truckers unwilling to drive through the storm overnight.

"When it gets really bad, they like to camp out," cashier Tia Schneider said Thursday night, noting that some drivers called ahead. "They can make reservations from 500 miles away to make sure a space is available."

FULL story at link.




Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130222/DA4JJTLG0.html

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Two men help push a car down a snow-covered street Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, in St. Louis. Blinding snow bombarded much of the nation's midsection Thursday, causing whiteout conditions, making major roadways all but impassable and shutting down schools and state legislatures. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

[AngryOldDem]

1. I'm not even in the heart of this storm but it's still bad.

I'm in Indianapolis and I left work about 7 last night and it was just starting to sleet. It wasn't more than five minutes into my drive when it was an honest to God downpour. Despite my wipers and defroster, ice was beginning to pile up on my windshield. I took it slow (I was surprised at all the speeders and tailgaters) and made it home within an hour. If I had left any later than what I had, I would have been screwed.

My office is closed until 11, and I'm taking a commuter bus in today.

[Coolest Ranger]

2. You guys are going to do the same thing to the midwest

That you did to New York and New Jersey right

[catbyte]

3. It's really crappy & slippery in Grand Rapids, MI & we are just on the fringe.

I'm on a city bus on my way to work & it's taking almost twice as long as usual.

[Cracklin Charlie]

4. Kansas City is a huge mess!

We couldn't get out of the neighborhood this morning, and my back is wrecked from shoveling.

[Katashi_itto]

5. My business partner lives in KC and hasnt been out since Wed.

Says theres at least a foot of snow

[Katashi_itto]

6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow "Die Hard" End music