Community Corner

Roads Are Improving After Draco, But Holiday Travelers Warned of Icy Spots and Perilous Travel

If you're traveling east from West Des Moines, you might want to delay your plans for a day if possible. Some roads in that part of the state are still impassable after Draco.

Draco’s wintery blast is making travel difficult today as West Des Moines residents and Iowans prepare for a long four-day holiday weekend and is still not advised in much of eastern Iowa.

Elsewhere, roads are partially or completely snow-packed, but passable, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Meanwhile, 256 West Des Moines customers are without power in 55 locations, according to MidAmerican Energy Co., which said in a statement it expects to make significant progress in restoring power today, the Des Moines Register reported.

Public safety officials are advising holiday travelers that if they can delay their trips until the weekend, they should. Conditions are improving, but remain icy, according to a statement from Iowa Department of Transportation.

Interstate 35 from Ames to Mason City has reopened. Witnesses are reporting that traffic is backed up at the Interstate 35/Interstate 80 mixmaster this morning.

In its morning update, the DOT advised travelers to check Iowa’s 511 travel information before making their trip. Call (800) 288-1047 nationwide or 511 within Iowa, or visit the web site.

Primary travel concerns this morning are focused in eastern Iowa, according to the statement. A National Weather Service winter weather advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. in the counties of Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Benton, Linn, Jones, Jackson, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar, Clinton, Muscatine, Scott, Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Van Buren and Lee counties.

Considerable blowing and drifting snow will continue to make travel hazardous in this area until mid morning. Northwest winds will be sustained at 20 to 30 mph, with some gusts near 40 mph.

Visibility to one mile or less can be expected in open, rural areas.
Iowa DOT crews are out this morning trying to restore travel to normal winter driving conditions and open blocked roads as quickly as possible. Conditions should continue to improve throughout the day.

In West Des Moines, the Des Moines Register reported that roads in the city are passable, but some are still snowpacked. Public works director Bret Hodne said the public works department’s initial priority was to get the streets cleared and residents mobile again. Removing the packed snow may take some time, he said.


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