Several motorists who were stranded during whiteout conditions Friday night and Sat morning along Highway 92 in eastern Nebraska were rescued safely by 4:00 Sat afternoon..
Nebraska State Patrol Supt Colonel John Bolduc says drifting snow made it difficult for rescue crews to reach many of the stranded vehicles.
Butler County crews were able to get through the snow drifts on Highway 92 from the west to reach all stranded motorists and get them to safety.
Teams from the State Patrol and Nebraska Dept of Transportation made their way through the drifts from the east and were able to confirm that all stranded motorists had been located.
Colonel Bolduc cites one “dire” situation in Saunders County where an adult and a child were stranded in a car Friday night and were running out of fuel early Sat afternoon.
. Bolduc says troopers were still 6-miles away at 2:00 PM and waiting for heavy-duty snow blowers to clear a path because the “regular“ snow plows couldn’t get through the drifts.
Dispatchers continue to receive calls on the State Patrol Highway Helpline from new motorists becoming stranded in eastern Nebraska throughout the weekend despite strong No Travel recommendations.
Troopers have responded to over 1,000 weather-related motorist assists over the past week, not including accidents.