VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Even though no new significant snowfall was recorded last week in North Dakota, secondary and township roads remain closed in many areas of the state after days of gusty wind drifted loose snow over roadways making them blocked or impassable.
Several vehicle crashes were reported last week on Interstate roadways and other highways in the state due to icy road conditions and reduced visibility in the open country.
In Valley City and many other cities across Interstate 94, motels were filled to the brim and overflowing with make shift beds set up in conference rooms.
Carter Hass of Valley City reported, “The conference rooms by the lobby have been put together like shelter homes. There’s people in them with roll away beds and blankets. The community is pulling together and sharing things, praying and saying hello. I live in Valley City but others haven’t gotten home because the snow plows haven’t reached their country roads. There is good news, the hotel that we are at serves an abundance of breakfast that tastes really good.”
Barnes County Highway Roads Superintendent Jamie Smith said a few county roads remain impassable, like the example in the feature photo, but county crews are working to clear snow away and off roadways and will continue to due so until winter subsides.