“This system will likely be a repeat of last Wednesday, with the potential for more snow,” said Webster County Emergency Management Coordinator Dylan Hagen. “We will see the high winds with the snow, creating limited to no visibility.”

During the March 4 blizzard, law enforcement throughout Webster County responded to an additional 275 calls that were blizzard related, on top of their typical calls for response.

“After speaking with other area law enforcement officials, it was apparent that that blizzard was one of the worst blizzard events we have seen recently,” said Derek Christie, Webster County chief deputy. “A combination of white-out conditions, slick roadways, and the number of motorists attempting to travel created a recipe for disaster.”

According to Christie, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office responded to 250 calls for service during the blizzard, with approximately 150 of those being weather and driving related. While responding to those calls for assistance, three Sheriff’s Office squad cars became stuck in ditches and two others were stuck in rural towns without the ability to respond to calls.

More than 10 motorists were also stranded in their vehicles for more than four hours waiting for help.

“Our deputies, just like other stranded motorists, were forced to wait in their vehicles for tow trucks to arrive,” said Christie.

According to Fort Dodge Police Chief Dennis Quinn, officers received an additional 65 calls for service that were directly blizzard related. This included motorist assists, vehicle collisions, welfare checks due to power outages, traffic hazards caused by downed power lines and trees, and alarms due to the power outage.

The Iowa State Patrol also responded to 60 additional weather related calls from motorists, mostly along U.S Highway 20 between Fort Dodge and Webster City.

“We just ask people to not go out in the blizzard-like conditions to prevent becoming stranded,” said Hagen. “That can create more issues and delay getting our roadways open. If you do have to be out, make sure to have extra blankets, gloves, a hat, safety vest, shovel, and a full tank of gas.”

“Use your common sense,” added Christie. “Don’t risk yours, other motorists’ or first responders’ safety with unnecessary travel.”