Motorists stranded; rescues under way
Rock County deputies, state troopers and DNR wardens were in rescue mode Wednesday night attempting to get to and check on dozens and possibly hundreds of stranded motorists.
Sheriff Robert Spoden said law officers were working to check on motorists on Highway 14 east and west of Janesville, Interstate 90/39 south of Stoughton and Highway 59.
Spoden said his department was told that as many as 50 vehicles could be stranded on Highway 14 East between Janesville and Walworth County.
“The roads are virtually impassable all over the county,” the sheriff said. “It’s just unbelievable.”
The county highway department deployed its biggest V plows to lead rescuers on Highway 14, and deputies planned to use the department’s airboat to get over the snow to stranded motorists and their passengers, Spoden said.
Rock County received up to 18 inches of snow in the storm that started Tuesday afternoon and continued for about 24 hours. Wind gusts of 40 mph and more caused drifting and created more havoc on area roads. County plows were pulled off all roads except the Interstate early Wednesday night and weren’t expected to go back out until 3 a.m.
Spoden said Interstate traffic was stopped and backed up in the westbound lanes south of Highway 51 near Stoughton all the way to Janesville because trucks could not get up a hill. Authorities were setting up a rescue operation based out of the Coachman’s Inn just west of the Interstate.
Rock County deputies were driving up in four-wheel-drive vehicles to help out, and the DNR was providing snowmobiles so deputies and others could get to vehicles on the Interstate and check on occupants. Spoden said officials were particularly concerned about young children, pregnant women or people with medical conditions or needs.
Spoden said his department had heard of people stranded on area roads for up to five hours.
The Comfort Inn in Newville was being used as a shelter for stranded motorists and passengers.
Spoden said the east-west roads were in the worst shape, but all roads in the area were bad.
The sheriff advised area school districts to remain closed Thursday because travel will be difficult through much of the day, and most districts – including Janesville – followed his advice.
The National Guard was on standby as of 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Spoden said.
Feb 7, 2008 at 9:36 a.m.
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Oh that winter of 78-79! We have pictures of my sister and I standing on a snowbank in our neighborhood. We were higher than my dad's pickup. Once roads were getting cleared by the plows, we took a drive on a county road. The piles were so high that when the wind blew, the drifts blew over the top of the road and made snow tunnels to drive through. Since then, I remember one good storm in 90-91 when I was at UW-Platteville. We could not figure out which white lumps in the residence hall parking lots were our cars. The campus closed at 9:00 a.m. after some poor, dedicated souls tried to walk through knee and hip deep drifts to go to 8:00 a.m. classes. I've never seen so many college kids playing in the snow. My funniest memory was the frat houses attaching ropes to trash can lids and walking to the nearest liquor store to bring home as many cases as they could pull.
Feb 7, 2008 at 9:12 a.m.
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My sister and I were reminiscing about winter of 1978 and making igloos out of the piles of snow around the foot of the driveway and making tunnels through the backyard like a maze to play in!
Feb 6, 2008 at 11:18 p.m.
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mofo5 your one funny dude
Feb 6, 2008 at 11:10 p.m.
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You're right. They never had snow like this before global warming. /rolleyes
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:48 p.m.
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I do remember 78 lol and now here it is again and I applaud the Anchor Inn and Comfort Inn for being there for this major emergency and to the law enforcement agencies doing the utmost to get the stranded motorist to safety. Also the county and city workers who will be working hard the next few days cleaning up Mother Natures havoc. I have helped push a few stuck motorists out today and it is just brutal and I hope people stay home and let the emergency crews get their job done.
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:36 p.m.
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deweeze, I have vague recollections of that winter. I seem to remember a picture of me and my youngest brother and sister sitting on the snow pile along Kellogg in front of JATCO.
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:09 p.m.
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This storm reminds of the snow storms of 1978. The year of 6 ft snow drifts and piles along the roads that high if not more and us kids being able to stand on the roof of the car and not know it or get in trouble for it.
How soon we forget. Anyone else remember?
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:54 p.m.
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This is a storm of epic proportions!!!
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:35 p.m.
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I just heard the national guard did get deployed to help. I just hope everyone is okay!!!
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:14 p.m.
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"Holy crap, Batman! It's global warming in full swing!"
"I know, Robin. The Batmobile doesn't have 4 wheel drive or snow tires. We're stuck here with Joker for the night."
{Joker then takes off the mask to reveal HER true indentity: Mother Nature}
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