POLK COUNTY, Minn. — Authorities in northwestern Minnesota are advising residents to stay off the roads Friday afternoon.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said visibility is down to zero in some areas, and blowing snow is causing hazardous road conditions.
“If you do not need to travel, please stay home,” the sheriff’s office said. “If you must travel, make sure you have a winter weather survival kit in your vehicle. If you do get stuck, first responders might not be able to reach you until the weather improves.”
The sheriff’s office said it has received reports of vehicles in the ditch.
The county is under a winter weather advisory through 9 p.m. due to accumulating snow and winds gusting up to 60 mph, the National Weather Service said.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation advised those in the counties to the immediate north and south of Polk not to travel either. You can check current road conditions on MnDOT’s 511 website.
Anthony Bettin is a web producer at CBS Minnesota. He primarily covers breaking news and sports, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel as blowing snow continues to create hazardous road conditions throughout the area.
With wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph, visibility is severely reduced and roads are becoming slick and snow-covered. This combination of factors is making travel extremely dangerous and increasing the risk of accidents.
Sheriff John Smith is advising residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. “We are seeing numerous accidents and slide-offs due to the blowing snow and poor visibility,” Sheriff Smith stated. “It is not worth risking your safety to venture out in these conditions.”
The Sheriff’s Office is also reminding motorists to drive cautiously and to give themselves extra time to reach their destination if travel is unavoidable. They are urging drivers to slow down, increase following distance, and use caution when approaching intersections and curves.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated on road conditions and weather alerts, and to make necessary preparations if travel is required. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.
Remember, safety should always be the top priority during inclement weather. Stay safe and stay off the roads if possible.
Tags:
Polk County Sheriff’s Office, travel warnings, blowing snow, winter weather advisory, road conditions, safety tips, travel alerts, Polk County news, weather updates, travel safety, winter driving hazards
Leave a Reply