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Some roads still closed due to storm

Ice and snow continue to cover many roads in Iowa and Illinois the day after the blizzard that passed through.

Ice and snow continued to cover many roads in Iowa and Illinois the day after the blizzard that passed through. 

State officials banned all towing of vehicles after high winds and slick conditions made travel for tractor-trailers and towed vehicles especially dangers.  The tow ban was lifted Friday afternoon, December 21 in Lifted in Clinton, Jackson and Jones counties in Iowa.  The tow ban  was left in place for Scott, Cedar and Muscatine counties until 12-22-12 at 9 a.m. 

Traffic was slow and stopped on westbound Interstate 80 from I-280 all the way to Walcott.  State police reported semis were still stuck or frozen near the truck stop at Walcott.  By about 10 a.m. the westbound lanes of I-80 were closed at I-280 in Scott County, Iowa.  Travel continued to be slow on I-80 between Davenport and Iowa City.

Illinois state police continued pleas to motorists to stay off the roads in our area. Vehicles of every variety were stranded, in ditches or wrecked on roads all over the storm-stricken communities.

“Interstates and local roads for Henry, Knox, Mercer and Rock Island counties still remain ice covered. Due to extremely low temperatures the salt spread on roadways to combat this problem remains ineffectual,” said an update provided just before noon Friday. 

Interstate 35 reopened Friday morning after it was closed late Thursday from Ames to Mason City.

Highway 6 was closed westbound from Interstate 280 to Durant because of road conditions and numerous vehicles that were wrecked or stranded there Friday morning.  Many vehicles had been abandoned in the middle of the road.  The sheriff’s office recommended against travel in Scott County, especially on rural roads. 

At 12:30 p.m. Friday, Warren County officials said search and rescue teams on snowmobiles were helping them locate stranded motorists.  About 50 motorists were sheltered at the First Street Armory in Monmouth after becoming stranded south of town.  Another 30 motorists were rescued after becoming stranded on U.S. 34, and they were given shelter at the Senior Center in Kirkwood.  An undetermined number of motorists rescued from being stranded on U.S. 67 were given shelter at the Alexis Community Center.

By 2 p.m. Friday, U.S. 67 was open both directions after being impassible due to vehicles and drifting snow on the road.  U.S. 67 was down to one open lane in some places.     Westbound lanes were still blocked on U.S. 34 between Monmouth and Biggsville.

Weather conditions continued to cause problems on parts of Illinois Route 164 from Galesburg through Monmouth and into Henderson County, and it was unclear how soon the road might be cleared.  Illinois Route 116 through Warren County was passable but some parts were down to one open lane. 

Route 41 was open in McDonough County. 

All state routes were open in Hancock County. 

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