KHAS Weather
Snow and strong winds cause headache for travelers
Travelers braved what they hope might be Central Nebraska's last winter blast before spring time.
I-80 east from Grand Island to Lincoln and I-80 West from Lincoln to York closed after numerous accidents were reported. The close left some highway trekkers stranded. News 5's Dara Newson caught up with a few as they anxiously waited. Blistering winds, cold temperatures and slippery roads closed the busiest highway in the state of Nebraska. And it left travelers wiggling their feet. "Our plans are to wait it out until we can get back to Minneapolis," said David Samuels. Just off of Highway 281 at the Grand Island/Hastings exit conveniently sits Arby's restaurant and Phillips 66. "We've been here about 45 minutes," Samuels said. This unique group of athletes and their coach, David Samuels, come from Colorado. Their final destination is Minnesota. "For the past nine days we've been at Beaver Creek at Colorado skiing at junior championships for Alpine Ski racing," said Hunter Wheeler. Hunter Wheeler and his teammates are skiers by nature. They've faced many weather challenges. And blizzard conditions in Central Nebraska don't faze them one bit. "Two of the days it was just like snowing so much one of the downhill training days it snowed like eight inches," said Daniel Brunker. Next to Arby's sits Phillips 66 where truckers also found themselves killing time. Phillips 66 did see a consistent traffic flow of truckers coming in and out. But Bosselman's Travel Center was filled with semi-trailers and truckers just waiting for I-80 to reopen. "I've been sitting here a couple of hours I was doing great today coming in from Wyoming," said Jason Brooks. Jason Brooks has been trucking up and down I-80 for seventeen years. "This area is really a windy area and I've seen several trucks down in the ditch this morning between here and the Wyoming state line," Brooks said. As travelers play it safe, they make the best of their time, patiently waiting. And possibly prepping for Plan B. "Looking for sponsors at the Quality Inn." According to the Nebraska Department of Roads I-80 East from Grand Island to Lincoln and I-80 West from Lincoln to York is now open, however, they do advise extreme caution. |
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