Slow snowstorm rolls through Southwest Nebraska

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Tree limbs came down across the region and schools and meetings were canceled today as a slow-moving storm system moved through the area with freezing rain mixed with sleet.

Residents in Southwest Nebraska may see a white Christmas after all, as the winter storm is expected to bring up to eight inches of snow to the area.

Light freezing rain that began Tuesday evening is anticipated to turn into snow later today, said Brad Michkelson of the National Weather Service from Goodland, Kan. By the time the winter storm hits the area sometime today, it will come with gusts up to 30 mph winds and leave snow accumulations of between four to eight inches. By late Thursday evening the storm will have left the region, he said.

As rain and sleet continued through the morning, utility companies watched the weather with uncertainty.

Reports of power lines and cable TV lines being downed by falling branches began coming in as the morning progressed.

Jim Phinney of McCook Public Power said conditions "didn't look too good."

"We're at a critical time right now," he said, with the freezing temperatures and ice accumulations. Snow on top of ice would make lines even heavier, he said, with high winds another factor. In case of a major power outage, contractors are on stand-by to help restore the lines, he added.

One line northeast of Wellfleet was reported down, he said, affecting rural residents in the area. Yet power lines in the immediate area were holding up, he said, although conductors are heavy and tree limbs are breaking off.

Phinney reminded residents that if a power line should come down, to stay away as the line could still carry a current.

East and west lines are especially susceptible, he said.

"This brings back memories of 1994," he said, when a spring ice storm left millions of dollars worth of damages.

Brian Buhr of Nebraska Public Power District reported ice loading on power lines in the northwest part of Nebraska but that power lines in the area so far were in good condition.

"Right now, everything is OK but you never know," he said. A quarter-inch of snow on primary and secondary lines was reported and crews have been put on alert.

"As long as we don't have high winds, we'll be OK," he said.

Kurt Vosberg of the Nebraska Department of Roads said everything is set in place in preparation for the storm.

"We're set to go," he said, with highways already pretreated Tuesday with a liquid de-icing chemical of salt brine. He said the liquid chemical, although more expensive, lasts longer than the dry mixture of salt and gravel as traffic can push the dry mixture off the road.

Areas treated Tuesday include U.S. Highways 6 and 34 and 83 around McCook, along with U.S. Highways 17 and 9 and roads and bridges in Arapahoe and Elwood. These will be treated again today with the liquid solution along with a dry salt/gravel mixture on a as-needed basis. Plows are also in place for the snow, he said.

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