February 24, 2023 |
Winter Storm Olive and the blizzard it unleashed on southern Wyoming trapped travelers and WYDOT snowplows alike.
Tuesday night’s heavy snow and wind made clearing the roads nearly impossible for Wyoming Department of Transportation crews. WYDOT Public Information Specialist Andrea Staley said four plow drivers became trapped north of Rawlins.
Pictured above: Photo via Baggs Fire and Rescue/Facebook.
A social media post by one snowplow operator said the area supervisor was dispatched to rescue them, but also got stuck. A wrecker sent to the scene also became stuck in the drifting snow. The post said it took 18 hours to free their trucks.
Staley said gate runners were part of the problem. Impatient travelers running highway closure gates got stuck. Plow truck drivers were sent to free the violator only to become trapped too.
Sections of I-80 are still closed Friday morning. Staley said the area between Elk Mountain and Walcott is proving especially difficult to clear.
In certain areas, the drifting snow caused plow crews to give up and move to other locations. After being driven off by the unrelenting wind, Staley said crews were finally able to make progress on the road between Hanna and Elk Mountain.
Staley advises motorists to check the WYDOT 511 website for road closures before setting out. She said the Wyoming Department of Transportation Facebook page provides up-to-date information too.
The Blizzard of ‘23 wreaked havoc on Carbon County’s highways. WYDOT suggests people stay off the roads during heavy snow and wind.
