Season's first storm complicates morning commute for residents
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Like most Janesville residents, Michale Thompson was out early Monday clearing the snow off the sidewalk at his South Jackson Street residence.
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Kevin Isensee has the relative comfort of an enclosed seat on a snowblower as he clears the walks around the American Farm Implement facility off River Street in downtown Janesville this morning. About five inches of snow fell in Janesville overnight but winds have created problems with drifting snow.
JANESVILLE — The first winter snow of the season snarled traffic, closed roads and generally made life difficult or dangerous.
Janesville received 5 inches of snow as part of a band that dropped 6 inches to 10 inches of snow throughout southeastern Wisconsin.
The National Weather Service says a slow moving low pressure area over the central Great Lakes brought the snow starting Sunday. The heaviest spanned from around Sheboygan south to West Bend and Port Washington and west to Oconomowoc, Whitewater and La Grange.
Winds of 15 to 30 miles per hour produced blowing and drifting snow in outlying areas.
East of Janesville, blowing and drifting snow caused a cluster of runoffs, and Highway 14 was closed for about three hours.
What initially was reported as a two-vehicle traffic accident ended up involving 20 vehicles and closing Highway 14 east of Janesville, said a lead dispatcher this morning at the Rock County Communications Center.
The first call came in at 11:23 p.m. for a traffic accident that actually was a runoff, the dispatcher said.
But when Rock County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived, three cars were involved, the road was blocked and tow trucks were called, he said.
While deputies were dealing with this situation, "more and more cars got caught in the snow in the same area—by Scharine Road, just west of the county line—and it eventually ended up being 20 vehicles out there and stuck," the dispatcher said.
So Highway 14 was closed for a period of time—11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., he said.
"It was white-outs in several spots and heavy, blowing snow that was worse than the snow fall," said Sgt. Curt Fell.
"It was blowing so hard across the fields, a lot of the roads were completely covered," Fell said.
Fortunately, Fell said, "all of my people (deputies) came out safe, and all the drivers on the road were just fine even though they were shaken up a little. Other than that, everyone is doing well."
Rock County Highway shop crews came out to lend a hand and to clear the road, Fell said.
By 2:30 a.m., everything was cleared except one semi that still was blocking one lane. But once the heavy-duty wrecker arrived, it was pulled out of the way; the highway was clear and reopened by 3 a.m.
"We were all good after that," the dispatcher said.
As of 6:30 a.m., the communications center still was receiving many reports of bad roads—icy plus blowing and drifting snow—and some vehicles getting stuck in the roadway in drifts.
In Janesville, city officials decided not to declare a snow emergency.
Usually, the city declares a snow emergency after 2 inches or more of accumulation.
But before making a decision, Operations Director John Whitcomb checks the National Weather Service predictions and consults with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation pavement maintenance specialist.
That specialist considers temperatures, snowfall and a variety of other factors when making a decision.
A snow emergency means that people have to move their cars off the street to driveways, garages or specific parking lots. Many downtown residents don't have off-street parking privileges and have to move their cars more than a block away.
"If we're not sure if we're going to plow, we don't call one," Whitcomb said. "We get just as many complaints when we call them and cancel them as we do when we call them."
This morning, plows focused on the main streets and arterials.
The city also cancelled its pickup of bagged yard waste. In addition, the city's demolition and compost sites closed early at 3 p.m.
Clinton School and Beloit Turner School districts had delayed openings.
The winter weather advisory remained in effect until noon today, according to the National Weather Service in Sullivan.
Light snow will continue to fall today, with an additional one-half inch expected.
Blustery north winds of 15 mph to 30 mph will cause blowing and drifting snow, especially in rural areas and on west to east roads.
Dec 6, 2008 at 2:23 p.m.
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I have a 4x4 and drive like a gma when it is nasty. Sorry 4x4 all slide the same as fwd on ice. We can just take off better than fwd and get threw the snow better in 4x4 than fwd. On 26 when nasty i go according to the weather. I would rather get home 5-30 minutes later and keep my car and I in one piece than wreak it or somebody else. I will go 10-15 if that is the condition. I hate when snowing so bad it is just a white cloud and you cannnot SEE crap . tha tis scary. The ice is scary too but at least you can see. One time a couple years ago it was VERY icy near milton on 26. We were dead stop and people were sliding off a bit. I was too. That was sscary as well. they blocked offf the street for a bit to lay some salt and then let us threw to lay more salt where we were at a standstill. It was over by stagecoach on the curve.
Dec 2, 2008 at 11:38 a.m.
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Salt the dam roads. It doesnt even look like the plows came out, people driving just compacked the snow and now its all ice.
Dec 1, 2008 at 9:47 p.m.
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Well I live in the country and on a hill no less. The road LOOKED only snow covered but it was pure ice under it. So I made sure to leave early and drove only 10 - 15 mph. Better safe than sorry. Especially since we had a fatal accident just down the road from our house this last weekend.
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It is the idiots who think that they can go just as fast on the snow covered roads (or faster than what is deemed safe) that I worry about. I would much rather go slow and make it to my destination alive than try to go fast and end up in the hospital or a body bag.
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Oh and just a reminder to all ... the speed limit is given for perfect driving conditions, if it is raining or foggy or ice/snow covered you should actualy use common sense (not many have that anymore) and slow down to what is a more approriate speed...even if it is crawling. At least that is what my driving instructors taught me 23 years ago and I still live by it.
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Stay safe everyone
Dec 1, 2008 at 7:25 p.m.
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p.s.... all you truck drivers out there... THANK YOU for following/guiding me home on those cnty roads/hwys these past years. I know I have been a "slowpoke", but have always felt safe with a big rig behind me! When I DO make it to my hometown, I would love to give ya all a "high 5"; how would this be done out the window without torking someone off??!!!!!
Dec 1, 2008 at 6:48 p.m.
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If you really hate driving in Wisconsin weather, MOVE for crying out loud! That said, many people need to rediscover their winter driving skills.
I drive every day from Milton to Sun Prairie and back again. I know Hwy 59 is dicey, I know the on/off ramps to I90 are dicey, I know the Interstate gets patches of black ice where the drifts hit on open areas.
What irritates the "crappola" outta me, are the morons who seem to think tail-gating is a great idea, in nasty weather. Just this morning, this moron came hauling up behind me... I could see him behind me weaving in and out of traffic. I was just coming up to the Coachman's off ramp heading north when I saw break lights in front of me.
A snowplow was in the left lane scraping the snow off the edge of the highway. I got in the right lane and here he comes... Everyone in the left lane behind the plow had to slow down to about 30 mpg. What does this jerk do? He slams on his brakes, fishtails, then tries to squeeze between myself and the car in back of me!
Needless to say, he spins out of control and ends up pointed the wrong way on the shoulder. The idiot could have killed a lot of people!
My biggest gripe, just the last 18 months are these creeps that tail gate. I expect to see a lot more fatal accidents, since so many people seem to think they "own" the roads!!!
Dec 1, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
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Thank you to all of the alert, awake, responsible drivers this a.m.
If I was driving 35-45 mph on a cnty rd I apologize. I was doing my "safest".
If it was too slow for some, maybe they should leave earlier to avoid the slowpokes.
I was in awe of the drivers behind me today, keeping a very safe distance and not rushing anyone.
Hopefully we all made it to our destinations safely..maybe a little late, but late is better than no show.
Thank you all for being cautious and careful. It is appreciated!
Dec 1, 2008 at 6:12 p.m.
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Your tax dollars (and mine) provide for a modest level of service. We don't have high taxes in Janesville so we should not expect high levels of service. Our neighborhood streets may very well be snowy and slippery until spring arrives. But you know what - spring will arrive and the snow will disappear. I love Wisconsin!
Dec 1, 2008 at 5:18 p.m.
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There are some conditions where is doesn't matter how careful you are. I was driving on a side street in Milton during the snowfall. I went around a slight curve-slowing down (even thought I was going pretty slow)because the roads were slushy-and still started to slide. I later saw a truck fly around a corner and started to fishtail. Stuff happens.
I blame the snowplows because they aren't everywhere at once. ;P
Dec 1, 2008 at 5:03 p.m.
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Thanks to the "plant" worker (I assume by his comments) who stopped to check on me out on "A" this morning. It was a lesson in humility. Passed 2 cars on the way to work and YEP 2 miles later, I'm sideways, out of the wheel tracks, and stuck. Not in the ditch, just by pure LUCK. 10 minutes later I did finaly get it back in the wheel tracks in the snow, so I lucked out. Yeah seems like every season we need to relearn the skill of driving in this stuff. Usually I don't learn until I get my butt handed to me.
Dec 1, 2008 at 4:47 p.m.
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I really can't believe some of the people on here. Can anyone honestly say that the 5 inches of snow that we got caused roads, plowed, salted or otherwise, to be that bad? I was on the road by 6:15 and had no problem in my neighborhood despite the streets not being plowed. The only issue that caused a serious problem today was the blowing and drifting, which is something that can't be helped unless you have a plow dedicated to that one stretch of road constantly. Obviously some people expect their street to be plowed and dry as soon as the snow stops flying. Unless you were driving a Smart Car or a Go Kart, you should have had no problem getting around on the city streets this morning. Give it a rest....we've got 4 months of this left. We don't need to hear the same complaints every time.
Dec 1, 2008 at 4:47 p.m.
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hey diplomat, I will take some of that cold 60 degree weather you are experiencing!! :)That is my idea of cold, brrr... LOL
Dec 1, 2008 at 4:03 p.m.
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usaret, I would thank a plow driver... if I saw one pass my house or actually plow the streets before 8am today... but alas, none were to be seen. I think I have a valid complaint - not of the plow drivers but how they are scheduled and managed. If I was a manager of this service I would ensure roads are plowed in a timely manner, even if that means sending the plows out an hour or so before the snow stops falling.
Dec 1, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.
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Those pictures just look miserable. It's cold here today too. High in the low 60s.
Dec 1, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.
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I watched ALL morning for closings/delays, nothing. My three children left for the bus at 7:45am. Guess what time the bus came? 9:05a.m. Something needs to be done Milton Schools. My kids are NOT going to get frostbite or pneumonia because your bus company does not want to take the extra minute to pick them up at their door. No instead the six kids that attend who all live next to each other have to walk a block to wait. My daughter has heart/lung problems to such a degree that she can NOT even take recess in th ewinter and you want her to wait over an hour in the snow?? What happens when it gets below zero? I will keep my kids home from school and I bet I don't get a truancy ticket. I can not drive I just had surgery. This needs to stop now!
Ridiculous!!
Dec 1, 2008 at 3:07 p.m.
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Funny....I had the exact opposite thing this morning. Got passed by someone going about 70 in a 4 wheel drive SUV while going south on I-90 between Janesville and not a quarter mile later the guy hits a slippery patch and goes off into the ditch. The road was mostly clear, but there were patches of slush and obviously some icy patches. Just because the road is 90% clear doesn't mean you can drive like it's dry.
Dec 1, 2008 at 2:54 p.m.
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tjncj, I totally agree with you. IF youre scared then stay home. This is WISCONSIN people need to learn to drive in the inclement weather. Obviously speeds need to be reduced but come on some of you. I leave for work at 3 in the morning and drive down highway 26. It wasnt that bad at all this morning. Even without the plows going through. But I of course got behind some paranoid guy that wouldnt go over 20 and was constantly hitting his brakes. Yeah real brilliant! Well I stayed far enough back and kept saying "dont do it buddy, quit hitting your brakes" and low and behold the paranoid genius spun out and went in the ditch. Ordinarily I would stop to help the person out seen as I have a four wheel drive and always carry a strap. However, this guy drove like such an idiot I just looked to make sure he was OK and kept right on going.
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:56 p.m.
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A city plow just went by my house. I do not live on a main road so I did not expect them earlier, however he went by without his plow down nor was he salting. Just seems like a bit of wasted money to me. If he is driving by, do something.
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:53 p.m.
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I drive super slow in the snow... And if someone decides to be a jerk and tailgate me, I just drive slower.
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:29 p.m.
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driving safe = driving slow no matter what time of year it is and always in the snow !
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
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JSNTM-I was 70 cars behind the car, tough to pass them all, and yes 15 was way too slow to go. How else would the traffic all catch up? There wasn't any two foot snowdrifts, just someone who shouldn't have been on the road.
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:10 p.m.
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Tis' the season for complaints. Maybe, just once, it would be nice if you actually thanked the people that are out at night/morning, while you are still sleeping in your nice warm bed in your nice warm house/aprt, tryinig their best not to hit the vehicles left parked in the streets, or knowing they will get blamed for the mailbox being damaged or just blamed for multitudes of things that they really don't have control over. Why is it so easy to condemn and so hard to compliment?
As for driving in the snow--when did stupidity over take common sense? Just think, someone probably thinks your driving is too slow even as your barreling down the street.
Let's try to keep the mean comments down this year. If you want to find fault, you will regardless of how well the crew does its job. Many of us appreciate what they do, why can't you?
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:08 p.m.
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Did everyone forget about the fog related pile up last year...TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON!
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:07 p.m.
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tjncj , if this person was only going 10 - 15mph and roads permitted faster, then why didn't you just pass them ??? far to many people drive to fast not to slow ! 40mph is not a reasonable speed when there are 2 foot snow drifts. also 14 was closed for more then 3 hours because people were going to fast for the conditions and slid off the road. there is no such thing as going to slow in a snow storm !
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:58 p.m.
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I too was going to work prior to 7 AM and I left early enough that if neccessary I would get there alive and on time even if I had to drive 20 miles an hour. In these conditions, SLOW UP !
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:42 p.m.
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No kidding tjncj, completely agree!
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:27 p.m.
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DrTalk and stupidjanesville - This was technically the first winter snow. Meterological winter starts on Dec 1st (astronomical winter starts roughly Dec. 21st). So...the Gazette is correct in the notion that this is the first WINTER snow as the 1" snowfall last week officially occurred in Autumn.
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:22 p.m.
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One quick question. I had to go out to Walgreens at 10 p.m. last night and noticed a snow plow truck putting down salt on a very snow covered and slushy Blackbridge road. Is there a reason they can not drop their plows and clear off the road at the same time so that the salt will work better on what is left? Seems they could kill two birds with one stone and save fuel cost. Just wondering. Hopefully someone out there has the correct answer. Thanks
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:13 p.m.
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Mr or Mrs "slow and cautious" was heading down Hwy 14 east this A.M. at 10-15 mph and caused a delay for the 100 cars behind it trying to get to work. The highway was in crappy shape until the Walworth county line, but 40 MPH was a reasonable speed, not 15.
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.
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I saw ONE Janesville plow on Racine street heading toward main street - doing his first pass at 8:15AM. But I was shocked at this morning that there were no plowed streets around Craig High School or Marshall Middle School. 2 hours after the snow stopped falling.
I have a feeling this is going to be just like last year...
Dec 1, 2008 at noon
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DrTalk - nice comment. Gotta love the Gazette's stellar journalism.
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:51 a.m.
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I am always slow and cautious and have never had a problem (knock on wood), but have seen plenty of drivers fly past me and then seen them in the ditch down the road. Four wheel drive doesn't do anything for you on ice or slick conditions.
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:42 a.m.
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its the 'slow and overcautious' who get to their destination. if EVERYONE was slow and overcautious we wouldnt have the problems snowfall after snowfall.
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:41 a.m.
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I't talking about plows in general. I had to go to school in Whitewater. Between my street and school roads were disgusting. So why can NO plows in this county get out and do there job and why can all other counties around us do a fine job at it? Just asking!
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:32 a.m.
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tinkerbell88; If you live in town (I assume you mean City of Janesville) why would you expect to see a Rock County plow?
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.
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From the article:"The first winter snow of the season..."
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Umm...wasn't the 1 inch of snow we got last week the first winter snow of the season?
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.
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I really wish Rock county would learn how and when to start plowing. Every county around us does an outstanding job but get to rock county and its horrible road conditions!!! Didn't see a snow plow till after 9am this morning.
BTW I live in town on the northside.
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:12 a.m.
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You'd think we lived in Florida and this was the first time we've seen the stuff. Good Lord.
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