Winds whip up an unexpected blizzard

Stranded motorists take shelter where they can

Winds whipped up a blizzard Thursday afternoon throughout North Iowa, stranding motorists and creating dangerous situations throughout the region.

Blizzard warnings first appeared west of the area shortly after noon Thursday, but by shortly after 2 p.m. Worth, Cerro Gordo and Franklin Counties were included in the severe weather watch.  

Wind gusts in excess of 45 mph created white-out conditions and Interstate 35 between Ames and Mason City was closed at 7:30 p.m. with accidents reported at mile markers 186 and 197 in Cerro Gordo County.

Highway 18 between Mason City and Clear Lake was also shut down.

Local motels were quickly filled to capacity, with some even offering their lobbies as shelter for the night.

Jane Coyier, desk clerk at the MicroTel Inn in Clear Lake said a few rooms at the hotel not being used while they were being remodeled and painted were even called into service.

“The mom of four college boys called and when I explained the situation she said they could move beds into the rooms. And they did,” said Coyier.  “We also had about six or seven guys with nowhere to go and they took turns sleeping on the couch and in the office.  We had another couple that used rollaways in a room we have been painting.  We just couldn’t turn people away.  It was so terrible outside.  We couldn’t see across the street.”

An elderly couple from Leland, Iowa took shelter at the Ventura Community Center after they were helped from their vehicle, which had gone into the ditch on Highway 18 between Clear Lake and Ventura.

Clear Lake Police Officer Eric Hythecker responded to a call of a vehicle off the highway about 6:15 p.m. Thursday.  Because the ditch was so steep, the couple could not make it out of the car.  Hythecker received assistance from the Ventura Fire Department, which used four men to assist the driver from the vehicle.  The department shut down travel on that stretch of the highway for a time to prevent further accidents.  

Tony’s Tire Service, responding to the call, also encountered a semi and three other vehicles in the ditch between McIntosh Road and Ventura.  

Fire Chief John Quintus, trying to help the stranded elderly couple, said he was informed all hotels in Clear Lake were full, so he suggested the Ventura Community Center, which is a designated Red Cross Storm Shelter, be used.  Members of the fire department picked up cots from Girl Scout Camp Tanglefoot and others provided blankets, cards and games to make the stay more comfortable.  

Three other persons stranded by the storm also stayed at the Ventura Community Center.

City Clerk Else Taylor said use of the center as an emergency shelter has been happening with more frequency and she expects the Ventura Council to consider purchasing cots, blankets and other supplies to have on hand.

“Using the shelter for a tornado warning is one thing, but having the essentials for people to spend the night is another,” said Quintus, who also serves on the City Council.  “We have been fortunate the Baptist Camp and others have helped to provide for those needing to stay.”

A warming trend this week and lighter winds should help to put thoughts of the blizzard behind us.