Blizzard warning issued; National Guard, plowing crews stand ready as storm picks up

UPDATE: A blizzard warning begins for parts of Eastern Iowa at midnight, according to the National Weather Service. Check the latest watches and warnings HERE

Road crews in Cedar Rapids are making their plans for clearing the city's streets later today and tonight, after snowfall from the storm begins to pick up.

Drivers plowing the roads or shoveling sidewalks now may have to just do it all over again later today. But it's certainly not a wasted effort.

If you can keep up with the storm, you may not have so much snow to move when it's all over.

The Cedar Rapids public works department called a snow emergency this morning to get cars off the main routes so the plows can do their job.

Craig Hanson, the city's public works maintenance supervisor says the weather is so far following predictions and he's still following an original plan.

"Our crews are out right now plowing the main roads and collector roads," Hanson said. "We'll then keep extra people on for second shift to beef it up so the rush hour can get through the city, then we'll bring in full crews somewhere after midnight to do a complete plow of the city."

The Iowa National Guard is ready to jump into action if humvees are needed to help rescue stranded motorists tonight on Interstate 80 after heavy snows resume.

“One of the primary concerns we will have would be stranded motorists,” said Brett Voorhees, spokesman for the Iowa Department of Homeland Security.

In 2007, the Iowa State Patrol, National Guard, and the Department of Transportation worked together to rescue stranded motorists on Interstate 80. Snowplows led the way, humvees followed, and state troopers helped with communication.

“They've all talked and they're ready to go,” Voorhees said. “If that's needed, that's a resource that we can certainly coordinate.”

Snowfall has hit a lull across parts of Eastern Iowa this morning, but heavy snowfall is expected to resume by early- to mid-afternoon.

Heavy snow forecasts already led to the cancellation of classes at many local school districts this morning.

Cedar Rapids, Linn-Mar and College Community all canceled classes for today. All Kirkwood Community College campuses have also closed. Check the full list HERE.

Interstate 380 was completely covered with snow in Linn and Johnson Counties at 6 a.m., as was Interstate 80 from Des Moines east to the Iowa border, but Department of Transportation traffic cameras at 9:40 a.m. showed traffic flowing freely along both interstates.

Westbound Interstate 80 was closed in Jasper County, between exits 168 and 173, after a serious crash in that area, DOT officials said.

Up to a foot of snow could fall by noon Wednesday, and wind gusts of more than 50 mph could bring blizzard conditions. Mixes of ice and snow and rain are possible, and temperatures could fall below zero Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service says it has been 20 to 30 years since a winter storm of this strength has been seen in Eastern Iowa. A winter storm warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday, and a blizzard watch will go into effect tonight.

Cedar Rapids police were expecting to be busy as commuters hit the roads today.

“We're going to be riding it out just like everybody else,” Sgt. Joe Cerruto said. “Common sense will be the order of the day.”

Road Conditions - From KCRG-TV9's Nick WeigDriving in Cedar Rapids is slow this morning, but not impossible.  Motorists handled the first couple inches of a major winter storm well, slowing to around 10mph below posted speed limits.  As traffic picks up this morning, common sense winter driving tips apply.  Allow extra time for your morning commute, keep your distance from other vehicles on the road and keep you speed reasonable.Road crews in Cedar Rapids are working to clear major roads, but side streets remain covered with snow.  As the snow continues to fall this morning, travel conditions will continue to deteriorate.  The best advice is to stay home unless you absolutely have to venture out today.

Driving in Cedar Rapids is slow this morning, but not impossible.  Motorists handled the first couple inches of a major winter storm well, slowing to around 10mph below posted speed limits.  As traffic picks up this morning, common sense winter driving tips apply.  Allow extra time for your morning commute, keep your distance from other vehicles on the road and keep you speed reasonable.

Road crews in Cedar Rapids are working to clear major roads, but side streets remain covered with snow.  As the snow continues to fall this morning, travel conditions will continue to deteriorate.  The best advice is to stay home unless you absolutely have to venture out today.

Officials on Monday advised Eastern Iowans to stock up on food and fuel as the winter storm system swirled toward the region.

“Be prepared to settle in for the next couple days if the weather gets bad,” Linn County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Goldberg said. “Travel's going to be difficult for a while.”

People should be prepared with food, water and warm clothing, and fill their LP tanks and cars with fuel, emergency management officials said.

Johnson County Emergency Management Coordinator Dave Wilson said Monday his office had been coordinating with the Red Cross to make sure emergency shelters are lined up. The county has a snowmobile with a medical toboggan on the back, and maintains an agreement with the Johnson County Snowdrifters, snowmobilers who can help retrieve the stranded or head up search and rescue missions when the roads are impassable.

Rural roads could be drifted shut by Thursday, if the forecast pans out. Roads traveled by 1,300 cars or more per day are the first priority for snowplows in Linn County. It takes crews three days to open all the roads after a ten-inch snowfall, but if winds start drifting roads over immediately, crews will pull back.

Snow emergency in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids is under a blizzard watch and winter storm warning by the National Weather Service with a forecast of up to 12 inches of snow.

The snow plows are having issues with plowing some of the snow routes because of parked cars.

A snow emergency is in effect from 7 a.m. today until 6 p.m. Wednesday. Snow routes are in effect for this time period.

Residents are requested to move cars off streets in other parts of the city. If this is not possible, they are requested to park on the even side of the street to provide increased effectiveness and efficiency. Crews will not plow a road if it is not safe because of parked cars. Crews will be plowing all residential roads at the completion of the storm