(Omaha) Icy roads too slick for some

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110201/NEWS01/702019891#icy-roads-too-slick-for-some

Published Tuesday February 1, 2011

By Nancy Gaarder
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Metro area interstates turned into a hazardous game of bumper cars Tuesday as ice, wind, blowing snow and drivers traveling too fast came to a head mid-morning.

Within one 45-minute period, nearly 20 accidents were reported, including a 12-car pileup on Interstate 480. Through it all, state road crews were unable to salt the interstate because of the strong wind.

Photos at link.

On local emergency scanners, police fretted about motorists traveling too fast and called for help patrolling interstates.By 10 a.m., the Omaha police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol asked drivers to avoid Interstate 80.

“The roads were slick, and we've handled a number of accidents'' from across the Omaha area, said a Nebraska State Patrol dispatcher. “I lost count about 7:30 (a.m.) after only being here for an hour.''

FULL story at link.

[TBF]

1. Stay safe Omaha Steve. nt

[Omaha Steve]

2. I can't drive or work for another 5 weeks and just sit here

ALL of our family members except my mom are out in it today.

[liberal N proud]

3. Hope my dad didn't think he needed to go out

I will call him tonight to make sure.

It is hard when he is out there (western Iowa) and I am here in Ohio.

No way to get there when the weather gets like this.

[Omaha Steve]

4. Our youngest daughter & grandson are still out in it & an update

Update: http://www.omaha.com/article/20110201/NEWS01/110209977#motorists-cautioned-off-interstate

Published Tuesday February 1, 2011

Motorists cautioned off Interstate

By Nancy Gaarder, Sam Womack and Michaela Saunders
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITERS

The so-called "black ice" that has created treacherous conditions on Omaha area interstates is expected to be a problem into Wednesday morning, making the Tuesday evening and possibly Wednesday morning's commute a risky proposition.

Omaha-area police officials are asking drivers to avoid the interstates. Road surfaces that appear dry are actually ice covered, authorities said.

They also urged motorists to avoid the West Dodge Expressway, which also was ice-covered as rush hour began.

Traffic between downtown and midtown was moving at a crawl late Tuesday afternoon. One driver reported an hour-long drive from downtown to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, with traffic moving about 5 mph.

FULL story at link.