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Team coverageWith icy roads and frozen pipes, a winter blast is creating uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous conditions across the state.
On the roads, it was a mess this afternoon. With temperatures well below freezing, Utah commuters battled the elements much of the day and into the night. Traffic was at a near standstill along much of the Wasatch Front.
At least 11 vehicles heading north were involved in a crash at mile post 333 in Layton. Three miles south, in Fruit Heights, there is another accident involving eight cars.
The Utah Highway Patrol reported more than 170 accidents between Salt Lake and Utah counties.
Coats were definitely needed outside, but they were also needed inside today for students at Indian Hills Elementary School. One of the building's heaters stopped working, and classroom temps dropped to 40 degrees.
Elizabeth Peterson, a parent of students who attend Indian Hills, said, "At least they had their coats on. They probably wore them in school today."
Meanwhile, Monarch Dental on Redwood Road had a bad case of frozen pipes and had to cancel appointments. Plumbers worked quickly to thaw the pipes leading to the building, and the dental office was not alone.
Neerings Plumbing and Heating recommends people insulate their pipes and leave a drip in the faucet if necessary. But owner Troy Neerings says if the water stops running, you have to act quickly. "It's important to get right on it, because we had a job last night that froze up, and they waited, and it froze and flooded their basement," he said.
While the weather caused major problems for some, it was an inconvenience for just about everyone else. Escaping the snow was a tough task, and Utahns have a few more months to work on the technique.
E-mail: wjohnson@ksl.com
E-mail: corton@ksl.com
E-mail: tcallan@ksl.com
