Winter Storm Hits the Wasatch Front

Coco Warner ReportingThis morning's storm really couldn't have come at a worse time, smack dab in the middle of the morning commute. The timing complicated UDOT's clean-up effort because their snowplows were stuck in traffic.

The areas hardest hit by the storm were Parley's Canyon along I-80, and I-15 in Davis County. A normally 20 minute drive from Kaysville took nearly two hours this morning.

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Nile Easton, UDOT: "When a storm hits right in the middle of a commute, it just makes it incredibly difficult for us to get through. Basically we become trapped in the congestion, just like everyone else."

The storm was so bad UDOT had to shut down I-80, both East and Westbound, through Parley's Canyon until the snowplows were able to catch up. The interchange between northbound I-215 and I-15 was also briefly shut down, as were Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.

Nile Easton, UDOT: "We couldn't get up and plow because of all those accidents. So at that point we have to close everything down, get them cleared off, re-plow the road, then we can get them re-opened to people."

The snowplows were finally able to make it to the Avenues, where the neighborhood was digging out.

Marilee Morgan, Avenues resident: "I couldn't believe it when I woke up this morning, how much snow there was. Thought it was great, wished I could go skiing, but I've got too much work to do."

The storm created a lot of work for the Utah Highway Patrol-- at least 200 accidents and slide-offs were attributed to the storm.

Nile Easton, UDOT: "Allow a lot of extra space between you and other cars when you're out on the road . Keep your snow tires on for a little extra while to make sure you can handle the slick conditions out there."

UDOT says it's also important to slow down on overpasses and bridges, which can become especially icy.

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