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County engineer details severe storm response; crews, law enforcement credited for clearing roads
Summary
Des Moines County’s county engineer described prolonged whiteout conditions and drifting that increased accidents and stranded vehicles; he credited deputies, state troopers and volunteer fire departments for assisting and said cleanup and gravel work would continue.
Brian Carter, Des Moines County’s county engineer, gave a detailed report on a late-winter storm during the March 17 work session, saying conditions included heavy, wet snow and "literally 0 completely 0 visibility" at the storm’s worst.
Carter described how wind-driven, wet snow repeatedly re-covered cleared roads, turning drifting and slush into hard ice that caused multiple accidents and stranded vehicles. He said crews ran backup equipment and worked long shifts — sometimes 12 to 13 hours — to keep roads passable and to pull vehicles from ditches. He described one incident where a vehicle was left unattended with flashers on; deputies coordinated tow trucks to allow plows to pass.
Carter praised law enforcement, state troopers and volunteer fire departments for their response, saying they helped reopen lanes and assisted stranded motorists. He noted one motor grader had an electrical issue but that it would be repaired. Carter closed by asking residents for patience during cleanup operations and thanked staff for their efforts.
No new emergency declarations or changes to traffic policy were recorded in the meeting minutes; Carter emphasized that law enforcement, not the county’s road department, has authority to forcibly tow vehicles.
