Travel not advised in Humboldt County Friday


Humboldt County Emergency Management Director Kyle Bissell reports only minimal weather-related incidents in the county during the past 24 hours. Travel is not advised as blowing snow and sub-zero temperatures create problems. Anyone who has to travel should have a winter survival kit in their vehicle, he said.

Cold temperatures and winds blanketed the county. Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday morning, Dec. 23, Humboldt County Emergency Management Director Kyle Bissell reports.
Dangerous windchills were noted. High winds with peak gusts of 45 miles an hour are hitting the county. Travel advisories were announced and updates for roadway conditions can be found on 511ia.org.
Emergency responders reported minimal weather-related incidents through the overnight. EMS, Humboldt Police, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department and local fire departments remained ready and reported no issues for the operational period. Any vehicle that was involved in an incident was marked as searched by the responding law enforcement agency.
Local law enforcement will continue to respond to calls as needed, but there may be delays due to weather conditions. There is currently no tow ban in effect for Humboldt County.
The same is true for local fire departments. They are prepared and will respond to calls but delays may occur due to weather and road conditions.
EMS is taking 911 calls only. No medical transfers are being conducted.
Secondary roads were able to remain on the roadway and focused on blacktop roadways only. No gravel roads were plowed. No issues or incidents reported during the operational period from 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday.
The plows and trucks are running in tandem to help clear roads. If conditions deteriorate the plows will be pulled from the roadways until it is safe. If conditions improve gravel roads may be plowed starting tomorrow. In town travel reported as slick roads. County roads are partially covered and are reported to blow back over within an hour of being plowed open.
Local grocers were not experiencing shortages and were able to get deliveries of goods during this operational period.
Local hotels: had vacancies, remain open and welcome stranded motorist.
Community Churches: EMA requested churches to reach out to their vulnerable and/ or at-risk members.
KHBT: No issues experienced. Reported organizations with delays, closings. The radio station will be closing at 3 p.m. today (Friday), but emergency announcements will still be made.
All communities are in good shape currently and are in no need of EMA assistance. o Several communities have heating shelters available to those in need.
“As winter storm Elliott continues to bring high winds and dangerous temperature throughout our county; we are advising you to stay home. Even though it may not look bad in town, once you get out of town the roadways are partially covered with areas where travel is not advised.
“Hwy. 169 south of Humboldt and Hwy. 3 west of Humboldt are showing travel not advised per 511ia.org. Temperatures and high winds will remain through the afternoon Saturday. For up to the minute weather information refer to the National Weather Service’s web page at www.weather.gov,” Bissell said in a statement.

Rate this article: 
Average: 5 (1 vote)