Report on February 2008 Storm Response - Wisconsin Emergency ...

hearing about this sort of magnitude of backup. Dane County EM director
asks: How are people being communicated with? Is there a plan to communicate
with these stranded motorist? State Patrol reports that they have seven 4x4
vehicles in area getting a tally on number stranded. State EOC OIC reports that
WEM plans to request the National Guard.
At 5:49 p.m., DOT Region Incident Management Coordinator receives call from
STOC with State Patrol report that I-39/90 was closed in the westbound direction
near milepost 156. Problem is that due to low speed, icy pavement and grade,
trucks could not move forward. Traffic blocked.
At 5:50 p.m. Janesville Police Department expresses concern over situation on I-
39/90. Traffic has been stranded for a couple of hours and can’t get off because of
stuck semis blocking most of the ramps. Janesville hotels are full and consideration
should be given to opening shelters. Janesville PD Will contact EM director about
shelters.
In 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. time period, State Patrol reports focus is on opening Interstate
39/90—not closing it.
From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wisconsin State Patrol makes several requests to Dane
County Highway Department to plow crossovers and shoulders in order to free up
traffic. County responds it is unsafe due to conditions. A State Patrol sergeant
states that the eastbound lanes are in such poor condition that it would be unsafe to
attempt to turn traffic through the crossover to proceed eastbound from the
westbound lanes.
In 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. time period, State Patrol discusses alternate routes and
determines this is not a viable option.
At 6 p.m. Rock County 9-1-1 supervisor advises Dane County that Rock is also
receiving calls from persons stopped on westbound I-39/90 and that condition has
existed for hours. The backup likely reaches back to mile 171 (State Hwy 26,
Janesville). Four plow trucks from Rock County are assigned to the stretch of I39-
90 between mile 185 (Beloit/state line) and the Dane County line.
At 6:06 p.m. Rock County EM requests Red Cross assistance and is told no shelter
will be opened due to liability of endangering volunteers. EM director will call
Janesville Salvation Army for shelter.
At 6:28 p.m., EOC and State Patrol EOC Representative contact Dane County EOC
to report I-39N/I90W from milepost 154 backed up all the way into Rock County.
Troopers with DNR assessing these areas. No crash, just loss of traction. We don’t
have the equipment to fix this problem. We are in contact with tow services to
assist with traction situation. We aren’t experts on this. Primarily it is the large
trucks that are losing traction so we need “heavy wreckers”. We don’t know what
we need we are looking for advice. Dane County Highway is telling us that they
are out trying to plow the areas. Sand and salt would potentially assist. They need
Traction. State Patrol indicates that they are not opposed to snowmobiles but not
sure what they would do? After discussion between the DCEM and WEM the
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