Eau Claire (Press Release from WisDOT) - The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for most of Wisconsin's northwestern counties beginning late Saturday night (Dec.8) into late Sunday evening (Dec. 9). Hazardous travel can be expected in the watch area.
This
is the first significant snowfall of the season and combined with heavier than
normal traffic due to shopping and travelers heading to the Packer game in Green
Bay, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) reminds motorists to be prepared for the unexpected.
Travelers
are encouraged to check winter road conditions before leaving home by calling
5-1-1 or visiting 511wi.gov.
Simply following a few simple driving habits could
ensure that travelers will make it to their destination safely:
- Plan ahead
- Drive at a safe and legal
speed for conditions (The 55 or 65
mph speed limit is a maximum speed for times when conditions are good/ideal,
not for when roads are slippery and visibility is reduced.)
- Drive alert and sober
- Always wear seatbelts
Additional
winter driving tips can be found on WisDOT's Web site:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/winterdriving/index.htm
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Madison (Press Release from WI Dept. of Military Affairs) - Keep your
eye on the weather forecast this weekend, as a series of snowstorms will be
moving across the state. The National Weather Service says some areas of the
state could receive up to 6 inches of snow on Sunday causing potentially
hazardous driving conditions.
Now is the
time to get ready for the storm. Get your vehicles and home ready.
Here are a few simple things you can do:
Have an emergency winter weather survival kit
in your vehicle. Your kit should include water, snack food such as energy bars
or raisins, first aid kit and booster cables. If you have a cell phone make
sure you have a power adapter you can plug into the lighter. You can find more
tip kits on our website… http://readywisconsin.wi.gov
Check
the roads and take your time. Call 511 or go to www.511wi.gov
for the latest road conditions across Wisconsin. You can also go to our website
for a regional travel map which covers North and South Dakota, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin. http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/511/default.asp.
Make sure you plan extra time if you travel. Roads may become icy and snow
packed. Also, keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle in case of an
emergency and let friends and family know where you are traveling to and when
you should arrive.
Get
supplies for your home. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked
with food that can be stored and eaten without electricity, in case there is a
power outage. Also, make sure you have extra water, flashlights with extra
batteries and medications. For a complete list of kit items go to our website: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/kit/GetKit.asp
Stay
informed.
ReadyWisconsin will keep you posted on any emergencies that occur during the
storm. Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/readywisconsin)
or Twitter (www.twitter.com/readywisconsin)
for updates.
