Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Another storm expected to bring more snow
Road conditions on hwy 27, just south of Palouse, land three cars in a snow bank on Jan. 3.
COLFAX — Blowing snow and crashes kept law enforcement busy Tuesday following an overnight storm.
The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office responded to more than 20 crashes during Monday’s snowstorm, Sheriff Brett Myers said. The Washington State Patrol responded to at least 10 more.
After yesterday’s storm, many cars were left stuck and remain stranded.
All reported crashes were handled within a 36 hour window, Myers said. There were no injuries reported.
The vast majority of roads that shut by snowdrifts were re-opened by Whitman County Public Works snowplow crews, officials said.
Drifting snow had all but shuttered portions of state highways 26, 127, and 194 on Monday. Tekoa-area residents reported large drifts across state highway 27 between the city and Latah.
School district across the region either delayed classes by two hours or closed campuses.
A Tekoa School District official checking road conditions was forced to abandon a vehicle in the middle of Warner Road when it became stuck on the road, officials said.
A fire truck also became stuck in the middle of Mullen Road, which connects Dry Creek and Hume roads.
Snowplows slid off roads and into ditches on Dec. 30. One crashed off of US 195, near Albion Road, and the other went off of the Zaring Cut Off Road near LaCrosse.
Officials credited residents for using their personal plows and equipment to help motorists’ whose vehicles were stuck or trapped on and aside roadways.
The vehicles remaining stuck Tuesday were primarily cars that were inaccessible on back roads that plows had yet to clear, according to the sheriff.
Even with the warming temperatures, the sheriff is anticipating another major weather event similar to the storm on Monday.
“We hope people will prepare, take caution and drive safely,” Myers said, adding that the Sheriff’s office is urging people to be prepared.
On Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch for Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon.
“Total snow accumulations between 4-7 inches (are) possible, with local amounts near 12 inches possible closer to the mountains,” the agency reported. “Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning commute.”
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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