NEBRASKA CITY - Winter storm warnings continued through the night in southeast Nebraska Tuesday, where up to two inches of additional snow and winds of 45 mph were reported.

Authorities Tuesday morning reported blowing snow and near whiteout conditions. Radio traffic indicates what plow drivers were experiencing.

Radio: “It’s looking pretty rough on 75 south. Just try to keep the driving lane going on that one. It’ s really coming down. You can’t even we just made a pass a couple minutes ago on the other side.”

Highway 75 and other highways were mostly snowpacked  by sunrise.

 

 

Radio: “I made one pass to the south and it’s already covered up. 10-4 I’ve go westbound traffic and I’m heading eastbound. I can’t tell where I am at on this road.”

Nebraska City police reported tree branches in the streets and a freight truck stuck trying to get to the hospital.

Police: “He’s trying to transport medical supplies to them. Can’t get up there. He wants a salt truck to come and put down some salt. I don’t know if they are actually do that for him, but I’ll try to contact someone.”

Wind gusts up to 33 mph started around 3 a.m. and changed the situation for snow plows.

DOT: “I think we’re in a losing battle. These flakes are getting bigger. Yeah, I think it’s about time we shut these roads down and back off. 50 going south, all I can see is what’s in front of me in my truck. It’s coming down cats and dogs, so if you guys want to pull off, pull off.”

After a night’s work, here is the assessment from a Johnson County deputy.

Deputy: “Road conditions: all highways are all covered with drifting snow and local ice. White out conditions. Travel is not recommended.”

 

The temperature hovered around 31 degrees for most of the night, but fell to 23 degrees around sunrise. The wind chill index is now around 9 degrees.

The exact snow totals are unknown as snow continued to melt even as it fell at Nebraska City, but road crews reported three inches of new snow in a two-hour stretch.

The Nebraska City Airport reports snow and light snow in 21 of the 22 hours between 10 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday.