Ongoing Snowstorm Causes Power Outages, Road Accidents

The snowstorm in northwestern Wisconsin has dumped more than a foot of heavy wet snow, and is paralyzing travel and knocking out power.

The storm stretches from Eau Claire to Ashland, and more snow is on the way this afternoon.

Xcel Energy is trying to restore power to 16,000 customers, bringing in crews from outside the storm area. The Department of Transportation’s Chris Ouellette says they’ve had reports of 40-50 vehicle crashes and one fatality. Snowplow operators are struggling to keep up.

“It’s incredibly heavy, wet snow and that’s causing some slowdowns for the plows because it’s very difficult to move this snow. Then we’re also in some areas, primarily like Dunn County [and] the Menominee area, where we’ve got trees down on highways.”

Ouellette advises no travel in northwestern Wisconsin. She says they’ve even run out of salt in the Eau Claire area, but Washburn County has offered to send some salt their way.