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

At 11 p.m. the second team of National Guard troops departs Madison enroute to
the North Command Post.
At 11:04 p.m., a State Patrol liaison asks Dane County North Command Post to
“find out why traffic was not moving.” Snowmobiles and an ATV are sent on
reconnaissance mission and report an unmoving line of traffic at least from mile
marker 168 north of Janesville to mile marker 142 at Madison’s beltline—a backup
of about 24 miles.
At 11:10 p.m., the Illinois Toll Center is requested to activate a northbound I-39
message sign, “All Lanes Blocked Janesville to Madison - Expect Long Delays.”
11:30 p.m. multi-agency conference call notes: Problem is people sleeping in their
vehicles. Snowmobilers are going to each vehicle to try to wake people up. Army
National Guard Black Hawk helicopter is flying overhead and radio report from
aircraft indicates traffic stopped eastbound from mile markers 152 to 167.
Westbound is barely moving. Traffic count is 552 semi trucks and 295 civilian
vehicles. Helicopter is flying over interstate to Illinois border. Illinois toll signs
now stating blockage on I-39/90 traffic slow. State Patrol incident commander
wants to make sure each vehicle is checked and OK, especially vehicles north of
westbound Hwy 59. Suggestion by National Guard to reroute traffic to Hwy 43
toward Walworth County. Discussion about uncertainty of road conditions in
Walworth County. Sheriff Spoden advises he will need to contact Walworth County
Sheriff to determine resources before any traffic could be routed to Walworth Co.
Rock County Sheriff’s Department indicates gas cans are needed for gas for
stranded motorists.
At 11:36 p.m. the National Guard UH-60 helicopter radios a count of vehicles in
the northbound/westbound lanes of I-39/90 stopped from Edgerton to Janesville.
There are 552 semis and 295 passenger cars in the blockage.
The UH-60 radios the JOC at 11:40 p.m. to report southbound/eastbound traffic
as 567 semis and 134 cars either stopped or crawling on I-39/90. The aircraft
returns to Madison to be refueled.
Both teams of National Guard troops arrive at the North Command Post at 11:45
p.m.
— Thursday, February 7 —
Notes from multi-agency conference call at 12:53 a.m.: State Patrol requests
Black Hawk return to air to provide update on interstate traffic status. Traffic I-
39/90 near the Coachman is flowing in both eastbound and westbound directions,
but traffic at standstill in both directions at mile marker 177. WEM reports traffic
on Hwy 26 is passable, Hwy 43 is icy. State Patrol lieutenant reports cars are
moving and advises it is not necessary to check each vehicle. Rock County and
Dane County each have four plows on interstate. Discussion between Sheriffs
Spoden, Mahoney, and Graves regarding consideration of rerouting traffic off the
interstate. Dane and Rock County Sheriff’s discuss possibility of rerouting traffic
– 24 –