Roads reopening in Nebraska Panhandle
After blowing and drifting snow shutdown vehicle transportation in western Nebraska Saturday, roads began reopening Sunday morning.
By News Channel NebraskaSIDNEY - After blowing and drifting snow shutdown vehicle transportation in western Nebraska Saturday, roads began reopening Sunday morning.
Both directions of Interstate 80 reopened from Wyoming to Iowa at 9:12 a.m.
Cheyenne County Sheriff Adam Frerichs says all county roads are now open, including Highway 385. However, he is not advising travel, because there are roads that have not been plowed.
He also reports there are still power lines down in places. Wheat Belt Public Power reports the winter storm affected their entire 3,600 square mile service area. They sent crews back out to repair power lines and poles at 5 a.m. Sunday.
"We will have additional utilities help us once the roads open so they can get here," a statement from the power utility said. "Our folks tried hard yesterday to get everyone on, but we just couldn’t make it happen. Our restoration will be prioritized to get the most people on in the shortest amount of time. We will also work hard to get those on who have been out the longest."
Dawson Public Power from Lexington and Midwest Electric Cooperative Corporation of Grant are sending employees to help Wheat Belt restore power.
High West Energy sent crews out Sunday morning to make repairs and restore power in Kimball, Neb., Laramie County, Wyo. and Grover, Colo.
The NDOT says hazardous conditions still exist, so take your time if you have to travel Sunday. The National Weather Service in Cheyenne says the panhandle will have sunny skies with a high near 31 on Sunday. Winds will be out of the northwest at 10-15 mph.
ROAD CONDITIONS
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