This last weekend’s winter weather in Greene County was the worst that Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams has seen in over ten years. He says they responded to over 100 vehicles in the ditches this weekend and assisted stranded individuals while law enforcement worked with county secondary roads crews on rescuing them.

Williams notes that dispatch had been in contacted with stranded motorists every hour to make sure they were alright until someone could get to them. He adds that there were so many people that they helped that all of the hotels in the county were full and they had to open an emergency shelter at the Greene County Community Center.

County Engineer Wade Weiss says his crews not only assisted the sheriff’s office with rescues, they also helped pull plow trucks with the Iowa Department of Transportation out of snow drifts on the state highways and helped get emergency crews with Midland Power Cooperative to areas across the county to restore power to those who lost it during the blizzard. Crews also worked the full day on Sunday as well.

As for Jefferson City crews, Public Works Director Dave Morlan says their work started 10pm Friday night and worked most of the day on Saturday. He says their biggest issue was the blowing and drifting wind that piled snow up on the curbside on Sunday. He and Williams reported several vehicles were abandoned in the middle of intersections on along the roadways.

As the clean-up efforts continue today, motorists are reminded to drive to the conditions of the road and take extra time getting to their destinations. All of the roads are no longer impassible and the tow ban has been lifted in Greene County. Stay tuned to Raccoon Valley Radio for the latest in winter weather information, as well as any cancellation or postponement information.