SITUATION REPORT #2 ON WINTER WEATHER
05:34 p.m., January 7, 2010

Situation - The Wisconsin State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) remains activated at Level 3 to monitor the continuing weather situation around the State. The SEOC will remain open until 8pm today or longer if conditions warrant.

Weather Briefing - A conference call was held with the National Weather Services offices in Sullivan, La Crosse, and Green Bay and several State agencies and county emergency management offices. Rusty Kapela, chief meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Sullivan reported that the Wisconsin counties of Grant, Iowa, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Jefferson, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Lafayette, Green, Rock, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha remain under a Winter Storm Warning and Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron counties remain under a Lake Effect Snow Warning. He reported that Washington, Ozaukee, and part of Milwaukee counties are expected to receive 10 or more inches of snow during this storm. Sheboygan, Dodge, Racine, Kenosha and the eastern half of Waukesha counties can expect 8 to 10 inches of snow. Counties where 6 to 8 inches of snow are likely include portions of Manitowoc, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Columbia, and Sauk along with most or all of Grant, Iowa, Dane, Lafayette, Green, Rock, and Walworth counties.

Mr. Kapela reports that, as of 2pm today, generally northerly winds in the range of 10 to 15 miles an hour are developing across most of the State. Overnight winds of 15 to 25 miles an hour are likely to cause blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibility.

Mr. Kapela said that snow from the storm should continue into tonight and generally end after midnight, except in extreme southeastern Wisconsin. He said that overnight temperatures will drop into the single digits over most of Wisconsin tonight with warmest temperatures generally in the Lake Michigan bordering counties. Overnight lows below zero are expected in northwestern Wisconsin.

DOT Highways - I-43 remains blocked in the southbound direction in Manitowoc County due to a jackknifed semi-truck. There is no predicted duration for this blockage. Traffic is being rerouted around the incident on State and county roads and continues to move. Except for this location, traffic is moving consistent with winter weather conditions across the rest of the state.

State Patrol - A check of the State Patrol posts indicates that the weather appears to be deteriorating from Milwaukee north to Fond du Lac and also in the Tomah area. The Waukesha post reports improving conditions in the southeast part of the State.

Other agencies represented in the SEOC reported nothing significant to report at this time.

Information and updates are posted on Emergency Management's website, http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/ and Twitter http://twitter.com/WI_EOC.

For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3232

Weather Outlook- at 11am, the National Weather Service offices in Sullivan; Green Bay; La Crosse; and Duluth, MN conducted a weather briefing via conference call with the SEOC and county emergency managers around the state. Rusty Kapella, chief meteorologist at the Sullivan weather office stated that counties in the southeast portion of Wisconsin will remain under a Winter Weather Warning until 6am tomorrow (January 8th). Counties in the WEM East Central Region and South West Region are under a Winter Weather Advisory. Some Lake Superior snow belt counties are under a Lake Effect Snow Warning.

Mr. Kapella said that southeastern Wisconsin counties can expect between 8 inches and 10 inches of snow before the current storm ends sometime after 9pm today. Counties further north and west can expect 6 to 8 inches of snow. Counties still further north and west can expect between 5 and 6 inches of snow to fall and some counties in the Lake Superior snow belt may receive up to 10 inches of snow.

This afternoon and evening, Mr. Kapella said, winds are expected to increase to 15 to 30 miles per hour causing blowing and drifting of snow and, in some open areas, visibility may be reduced to between 1/2 to 1/4 mile. Temperatures should be in the teens in the northern part of Wisconsin and in the 20s in the southern portions of the State today falling into the single numbers vernight tonight. Some areas in northwestern Wisconsin may fall below zero overnight.

Public Affairs - The SEOC public affairs section is keeping the public informed by posting timely information and resources on the Ready Wisconsin facebook page and on the WEM Twitter site between formal situation reports

Mr. Wall said that the SEOC will remain open at least through 8 pm today and will remain open longer if conditions warrant.

Public Information - Continues to conduct media interviews. Requests are being received for radio & television interviews.

Information and updates are posted on Emergency Management's website, http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/ and Twitter http://twitter.com/WI_EOC.

For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3232

Governor's State of Emergency - Governor Doyle declared a State of Emergency for all 72 counties. The declaration calls to active duty elements of the Wisconsin National Guard and instructs all state agencies to assist in any response or recovery efforts that may be required.

Wisconsin Emergency Management - The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is fully operational and actively monitoring the weather situation. Currently Dane, Rock, Brown and Richland Counties have partial activated their Emergency Operations Centers in response to weather conditions.

Joint Operations Center - Ten National Guard facilities are prepositioning heavy duty vehicles (w/chains). Seven of those National Guard facilities will be manned beginning at 6:00 am on Wednesday for at least two shifts. Two aviation facilities have aircrews on standby, but do not anticipate flyable weather in the state until 4:00 p.m. on 12/9/09.

Department of Transportation - Motorists can get up to date traveler information by calling 511 from their cellular phones or logging onto www.511wi.gov. In addition, DOT is monitoring road and traffic incidences.

State Patrol - Coordinating with local governments and the State Operations Center to handle any potential road closures. State Patrol currently staffed at a high state of readiness statewide. State Patrol is discouraging all road travel.

Department of Natural Resources - 15 wardens (with 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles) coordinating through State Patrol will be driving sections of interstate and state highways to provide extra eyes for situational awareness and public safety.

Public Information - Continues to conduct media interviews. Requests are being received for radio & television interviews.

Information and updates are posted on Emergency Management's website, http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/ and Twitter http://twitter.com/WI_EOC.

For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3232

Governor's State of Emergency - Governor Doyle declared a State of Emergency for all 72 counties. The declaration calls to active duty elements of the Wisconsin National Guard and instructs all state agencies to assist in any response or recovery efforts that may be required.

Wisconsin Emergency Management - The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is fully operational and actively monitoring the weather situation. Currently Dane, Rock, Brown and Richland Counties have partial activated their Emergency Operations Centers in response to weather conditions.

Joint Operations Center - Ten National Guard facilities are prepositioning heavy duty vehicles (w/chains). Seven of those National Guard facilities will be manned beginning at 6:00 am on Wednesday for at least two shifts. One air crew has been placed on standby also beginning at 6:00 am on Wednesday.

Department of Transportation - Motorists can get up to date traveler information by calling 511 from their cellular phones or logging onto www.511wi.gov.

State Patrol - Coordinating with local governments and the State Operations Center to handle any potential road closures. State Patrol currently staffed at a high state of readiness statewide. State Patrol is discouraging all road travel.

Department of Natural Resources - 6 wardens (with Six 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles) coordinating through State Patrol will be driving sections of interstate and state highways to provide extra eyes for situational awareness and public safety.

Public Information - Continues to conduct media interviews. Requests are being received for radio & television interviews.

Information and updates are posted on Emergency Management's website, http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/ and Twitter http://twitter.com/WI_EOC.

For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3232.

Governor's State of Emergency - Governor Doyle declared a State of Emergency for all 72 counties. The declaration calls to active duty elements of the Wisconsin National Guard and instructs all state agencies to assist in any response or recovery efforts that may be required.

Wisconsin Emergency Management - The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is now fully operational and actively monitoring the weather situation. Currently Dane, Rock, Brown and Richland Counties have partial activated their Emergency Operations Centers in response to weather conditions.

Joint Operations Center - Ten National Guard facilities are prepositioning heavy duty vehicles (w/chains). Seven of those National Guard facilities will be manned beginning at 6:00 am on Wednesday for at least two shifts. One air crew has been placed on standby also beginning at 6:00 am on Wednesday.

Department of Transportation - Plows will be out all night plowing the statewide interstate system. Plows will be pulled off statewide non-interstate highway until 3:00 am - 4:00 am tomorrow. In Columbia County-Hwy 39/90/94 is down to one lane open. In Rock County-Hwy 39/90 is down to one lane open. The blockage on Interstate Highway I-43 South of Green Bay is now open.

State Patrol - Coordinating with local governments and the State Operations Center to handle any potential road closures. State Patrol currently staffed at a high state of readiness statewide. State Patrol is discouraging all road travel.

Department of Natural Resources - 91 wardens have been placed on standby Statewide (with 4-Wheel Drive Vehicle & snowmobile capabilities). DNR is monitoring the situation via e-sponder.

Public Information - Continues to conduct media interviews.

Information and updates are posted on Emergency Management's website, http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/ and Twitter http://twitter.com/WI_EOC.

For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3232.

Governor's State of Emergency - Governor Doyle declared a State of Emergency for all 72 counties. The declaration calls to active duty elements of the Wisconsin National Guard and instructs all state agencies to assist in any response or recovery efforts that may be required.

Wisconsin Emergency Management - The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continues to monitor the weather situation. Staff from Department of Military Affairs, Wisconsin Emergency Management, Department of Transportation, State Patrol and the National Weather Service is in the EOC. Regional Directors are making contact with County Emergency Management Directors. Three counties have partially activated their EOC's.

Joint Operations Center - Ten National Guard facilities with vehicles will be manned beginning at 0600 hours on Wednesday for at least two shifts. One air crew has been placed on standby also beginning at 0600 hours.

Department of Transportation - Participated on a conference call with State Patrol. Highway 51/Interstate 39 was reported very dangerous. DOT message boards were utilized to warn motorists of the treacherous conditions. They will work to keep the Interstate and an alternate route open.

State Patrol - Coordinating with local governments and the State Operations Center to handle any road closures. Have been discussing the plan on when and if to close the interstate system. Coordinating with the National Guard on assistance that they could provide. Warning people and trying to discourage all travel. Reports no major incidents.

Department of Natural Resources - Conducted a web conference call with wardens. All Regional Wardens have been placed on standby. They are trying to get half of the wardens on standby, and are establishing staffing for shift changes. They are monitoring the situation via e-sponder. Staff will report to the EOC beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Public Information - Continues to conduct media interviews.

Information and updates are posted on Emergency Management's website, http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/ and Twitter http://twitter.com/WI_EOC.

For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3232.

Wisconsin Emergency Management - The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continues to monitor the weather situation. Staff from Department of Military Affairs, Wisconsin Emergency Management, Department of Transportation, State Patrol and the National Weather Service is in the EOC. WEM is coordinating with the National Guard and the Department of Natural Resources regarding available assets in the event they are needed.

Department of Transportation - There were earlier incidents on Highway 41 and Highway 53, but both have been cleared. There are no other incidents reported.

State Patrol - Report no major incidents.

Department of Natural Resources - Staff will report to the EOC beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Information and updates are posted on Emergency Management's website, http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/ and Twitter http://twitter.com/WI_EOC.

For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3232.

Department of Transportation and State Patrol - Report no incidents in the Southeast and Southwest Regions. There have been some minor slide-offs have been reported in the Southwest Region. Oversized and overweight trucking permits have not been suspended.

Information and updates will be posted to Emergency Management's website, http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/ and Twitter.

LaCrosse National Weather Service has scheduled a Webinar at 1:00 p.m. and Milwaukee National Weather Service at 3:00 p.m.

For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3232.

With the weather forecast calling for treacherous driving conditions, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) urges all motorists to prepare for rapidly changing road conditions and to use extreme caution while driving.

"During severe winter storms, conditions can deteriorate rapidly," says Dennis Hughes of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. "The best advice is to avoid driving if you can, but if you must drive don't take unnecessary risks. You can prevent traffic crashes even during bad storms and slippery road conditions if you slow down and pay strict attention to your driving. It's also important to buckle up just in case you can't avoid a crash or your vehicle slides off the roadway."

WisDOT traffic safety officials offer the following advice for safe driving during severe winter weather:

• To check on the latest winter road conditions and traffic incidents on major highways, call 511or visit www.511wi.gov on the WisDOT Web site. Call 911 only for emergency situations.
• Make sure your gas tank is full and you have some food, warm blankets and clothing in the vehicle in case of emergency. If you have a cell phone, make sure it's fully charged and working.
• Tell others about your travel route and itinerary, so that if you don't arrive at your destination, they can contact law enforcement officers and inform them where to look.
• Keep others informed if you're going to be late or encounter problems so they won't worry needlessly.
• It's safer to travel with passengers and convoy with other vehicles than it is to drive alone.
• Remember, the speed limit is based on clear roads and dry pavement-don't drive too fast for conditions.
• Watch for slippery spots on bridges and overpasses.
• Take note of mileposts, exit numbers or crossroads in case you slide off the road or are involved in a crash so that law enforcement officers and tow truck operators can find you.
• If the storm makes driving too hazardous or if your car breaks down, stay in the vehicle. Run your engine and heater for short intervals to stay warm. Be sure to crack the window to avoid carbon monoxide build-up.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has winter road conditions posted at http://www.511wi.gov/ or call 1-800-ROADWIS (762-3947).

Past Situation Reports