Winter Weather Advisory: 62 Accidents in Lincoln as City Activates Snow Emergency
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect while heavy snow and gusty winds produce dangerous driving conditions across the region. Lincoln police have logged 62 accidents and 50 motorist assist calls as crews work through a city-declared Snow Emergency; officials are urging residents to avoid travel unless essential.
Winter Weather Advisory and city operations
The Winter Weather Advisory is set to continue until 6 a. m. ET and warns of wind gusts up to 35 mph with additional snow accumulation up to 4 inches possible. City crews are actively plowing and applying granular salt pre-wet with brine to arterial, school, transit and emergency snow routes. Additional crews are scheduled to begin residential plowing at 10 p. m. ET.
The city has declared a Snow Emergency effective at 8 p. m. ET. Two parking bans will go into effect at 10 p. m. ET. Crews will continue incremental work through the night to clear priority routes while expanding efforts into neighborhoods after residential plowing begins.
Crash tally and road safety in Lincoln
Lincoln police report that officers have responded to or are currently working on 62 accidents since the snow began, and they have answered 50 motorist assist calls to help drivers who were stuck or high-centered. A crash near Emerald blocked part of I-80 eastbound at 4: 17 p. m. ET during deteriorating road conditions.
Police are urging drivers to slow down, give extra stopping distance, remove snow from headlights and turn them on. Officers remain on call as needed to respond to incidents and assist motorists during these winter driving conditions. The combination of falling snow and gusty winds has contributed to hazardous road surfaces and reduced visibility.
Regional crashes on I-80 and Highway 83
Separate winter-weather-related crashes have also been confirmed outside Lincoln. One crash occurred on I-80 east between Gothenburg and Brady; a portion of the interstate westbound was closed due to that incident. Another crash was reported along Highway 83 south of North Platte. These events illustrate that hazardous conditions are affecting multiple stretches of highway across the region.
Travelers should expect possible closures, lane blockages or delays on interstates and state highways while emergency responders and road crews work at crash scenes and on route clearance. Motorists who do not need to travel are advised to stay off the roads until conditions improve.
This is a developing story; details may evolve as crews continue operations and emergency personnel update conditions through the night.
