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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Winter storm disrupts travel, business
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
A winter storm blew through Eastern Iowa Nov. 29, crippling travel and postponing events set for Small Business Saturday.
Forecasts estimated 9-13 inches of snow, and totals along Interstate 80 ranged from 6-12, according to official reporting stations for the National Weather Service.
By mid afternoon Saturday, the Iowa Department of Transportation classified most of Iowa’s roads “completely covered” through Poweshiek and Iowa Counties. Travel was not advised on a portion of I-80 from West Des Moines to south of Victor and tow bans were in place in that area.
Sunday morning the DOT warned that travel remained difficult in most areas of the state Roads were covered in snow and ice.
According to National Weather Service, Brooklyn reported 11.5 inches of snow from Friday evening to about 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Wellman reported 10 inches, Belle Plaine 9 inches, Amana 7 inches, Williamsburg 6.5 inches, Homestead 6.5 inches and Parnell 6.3 inches.
In northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, 12-16 inches were reported.
The City of Marengo declared a snow emergency effective for Nov. 28. The emergency was valid for 48 hours. No parking was allowed on any city street until the snow stopped falling and snow was removed from streets.
The City of Williamsburg declared a snow emergency from 6 a.m. Saturday through noon Sunday. Belle Plaine’s snow emergency began at 6 p.m. Friday, and continued through Sunday.
The National Weather Service predicted another round of snow for Monday with an accumulation of 1-3 inches.
Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation postponed the Holiday Homecoming scheduled for Nov. 29 to Saturday Dec. 6. Times remain the same for the events, the Development Corporation said.
Pop-up shops will be open from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. with local specials all day. Santa’s workshop will be open from 3-5 p.m. and the Belle Plaine lighted parade begins at 5:30 p.m. with a tree lighting to follow.
In Amana Sunday, Alan Dubberke plowed out the driveway for his wife’s business, Village Antiques and More. The business wasn’t open Saturday, Dubberke said, but hoped to see customers Sunday.
Matt Hastings shoveled snow from the sidewalk in front of Midwest Leather and White Cross Cellars. “Feels like a foot, easily,” Hastings said. He shoveled at home three times Saturday as snow fell he said, and tackled his wife’s business properties in Amana Sunday morning.
“The whole town was shut down [Saturday],” Hastings said, which was disappointing because it was Small Business Saturday.
