Sheriff's Office advising residents stay off the roads as blizzard rages
The Wausonian will update this story continually (assuming internet stays on -- it's gone out once at my house already
As a blizzard rages on in Central Wisconsin, officials from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office are now advising motorists to stay off the roads as absolutely necessary.
Sheriff’s officials say roadways are already becoming impassible at this point.
These dangerous conditions are impacting everyone on the roads, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, tow services, and snowplow operators. Even emergency responders are having difficulty getting through in certain locations.
Please stay off the roadways unless it is absolutely necessary. Every unnecessary vehicle on the road creates additional hazards and can delay plows and emergency responders trying to reach people in need.
Emergency services might also be delayed, sheriff’s office officials say.
The Wausau Police Department is advising the same, saying both agencies have already been called out for numerous crashes and stranded vehicles.
That comes as the National Weather Service’s latest report says more than a foot of snow has fallen in the Wausau area already, as of just before 9 am.
11:58 am update
The NWS-Green Bay claims on its Facebook page 13 inches had fallen by 8:30 am, but cites a later report with 17.2 inches for Wausau. Another weather reporter claimed more than 18 inches more recently. The service in its latest post as of this update is calling for lulls in the snowfall’s intensity for the afternoon, though wind gusts in the 35 mph range is possible, with the potential for sleete.
Wausau, Schofield and Weston have declared a snow emergency for the city through 6 pm Monday, meaning no parking on the roads.
The Wausau and D.C. Everest school districts announced they are calling off in-person classes Monday. Wausau says it will have a virtual learning day instead.
2:27 pm update
Marathon County issued a press release urging residents to not drive. Marathon County’s plow drivers are fully deployed, the release says, but numerous vehicles stuck in roads and intersections are making it difficult for plow drivers to do their jobs.
County officials warn that even though snowfall is lightening, many roads are still impassible.
The village of Weston canceled all of its Monday meetings, according to press releases they’ve sent out. City of Wausau meetings are also canceled, according to the online calendar.
Meanwhile, someone in Amherst has a winter storm livestream, so you can view the storm without traveling out into it.
The Wausonian will update this story throughout the day, so check back for updates. Update numbers will be in the story’s subhead, and updates will be added at the bottom of the story.
NOTE: Updates will also depend on my internet status. It’s already gone out once this morning.