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No travel advised as area highways closed
Originally published 10:09 a.m., March 10, 2009
Updated 12:00 p.m., March 10, 2009
DETROIT LAKES - The Minnesota Department of Transportation and Minnesota State Patrol is advising no travel in the 12 counties of west central Minnesota due to extremely hazardous driving conditions. Counties include Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse and Wilkin.
Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout the day and evening with heavy snow and high winds causing further reduced visibility.
The following road segments are currently closed until further notice:
- Interstate 94 from Moorhead to Fergus Falls
- Highway 10 from Moorhead to Lake Park
- Highway 210 from Fergus Falls to Breckenridge
When a road is closed it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply.
If travel is absolutely necessary on unclosed roads, Mn/DOT recommends the following for safe winter driving:
- Plan ahead regarding travel time - don't put your schedule before safety.
- Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and directional signals.
- Drive slowly - lower speeds help drivers avoid crashes and minimize those that occur.
- Keep a safe stopping distance between vehicles - leave extra room between your vehicle and snow plows or other removal equipment. Snow plows travel much slower than the posted speed.
- Always use seat belts.
- Never drive into a snow cloud.
- Do not use cruise-control.
Anyone attempting to travel should check statewide travel conditions by calling 511 or logging onto www.511mn.org. For more information on safe winter driving, go to www.winterweather.state.mn.us.
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The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by duke12 (anonymous) on March 10, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was beginning to think this was another missed call by the weatherman.
Posted by buster (anonymous) on March 10, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ha the weathermen are never wrong
Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on March 10, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"never drive into a snow cloud"
Posted by peanutbutter (anonymous) on March 10, 2009 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That must mean you should stop and turn around
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on March 10, 2009 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did Al Gore come to the area?? Why did it get so cold? Looks a little like another "Gore Effect".
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