Caltrans official shares Sierra travel tips for snowstorm

IN TRUCKEE, ERIN HEFT KCRA3 NEWS. LISA: WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON I 80 AT CIRSTEA — HIRSCH DOWN ROAD BEING HELD BECAUSE OF A JACKKNIFED AND SPIN OUT. THE TRUCK SLID OFF THE FREEWAY. THERE IS ANOTHER TRUCK BLOCKING THE LANE SO THAT WILL CREATE A PROBLEM. THESE TRUCKS WILL HAVE TO BE HAULED OUT BEFORE CALTRANS CAN REOPEN INTERSTATE 80. THESE PICTURES COMING IN FROM CHP SO YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WILL REMAINS LIKE AND WE BROUGHT A SPOKESPERSON FROM CALTRANS, JOHN O’CONNELL. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. I THINK THAT SPIN OUT WITH THE TRUCKS ILLUSTRATES A PERFECT DEMONSTRATION AS TO WHY YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. >> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON. WEATHER LIKE THIS IN THE MOUNTAINS, IT IS A FLUID SITUATION AND WE REALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO DRIVE THEN DON’T BUT IF YOU DO, BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING THAT CAN HAPPEN. SPINOUTS ARE POSSIBLE. WE WANT TO KEEP THE ROADS OPENS HER DRIVE SAFELY AND TAKE YOUR TIME. LISA: HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE PREPARE FOR THE CONDITIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE VALLEY? >> MAKE SURE YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING, YOUR HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON WHEN YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON. IN THE MOUNTAINS, BRING WATER, SNACKS, FOOD, LANK IT’S, FLASHLIGHTS — BLANKETS, FLASHLIGHTS BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOU WILL BE STUCK. DON’T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED BECAUSE THE WEATHER CHANGES DRAMATICALLY AND QUICKLY. I THINK TODAY, AS YOU CAN SEE WITH THE JACKKNIFED BIG RIG, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE SO PLEASE BE PATIENT DRIVING UP THE MOUNTAIN. LISA: WE HAVEN’T SEEN A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROADS IN THE HIGH COUNTRY BUT IT DOESN’T TAKE A LOT TO CREATE A BACKUP WHEN THINGS ARE BLOCKED. THERE IS IN SOME PLACES NO WAY TO GET AROUND IT BECAUSE THE INTERSTATE IS SPLIT BY TREES AND A HUGE MEDIAN. I WOULD ADD TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOT A FULL TANK OF GAS. A CHARGER FOR YOUR PHONE THAT IS ALREADY CHARGED, BECAUSE YOU MAY HAVE TO TURN OFF YOUR CAR. >> THAT IS FOR SURE. YOUR PHONE CHARGED UP, YOUR GAS TANK FULL. DON’T USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE. PEOPLE TRY TO USE GPS TO TAKE BACK ROADS. DON’T DO THAT BECAUSE THAT’S WHERE YOU CAN GET INTO SERIOUS PROBLEMS BECAUSE THOSE ROADS ARE NOT PLOWED. STAY ON 80 AND 50 AND ROLL WITH IT. LISA: DON’T GO IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO.

Caltrans official shares Sierra journey suggestions for snowstorm

Up to date: 12:56 PM PST Dec 1, 2022

If you must journey to the Sierra throughout Thursday’s snowstorm, be ready. Caltrans’ John O’Connell joined the KCRA Information at midday and suggested individuals to keep away from pointless journey to the Sierra. However he additionally shared security suggestions for individuals who are braving the weather on roadways. Folks must be ready for spinouts and different difficult situations as a result of “climate like this within the mountains is a fluid scenario,” he mentioned.Among the many Sierra security suggestions:Be certain that your windshield wipers are working and headlights are on and functioning.Convey bottled water, snacks, meals, blankets and flashlights as a result of “you simply by no means know when you’re going to be caught up there for a chronic time period,” O’Connell mentioned.Maintain your telephone charged and your fuel tank full.Keep away from different routes like backroads as a result of these roads are usually not plowed steadily.| RELATED | Reside updates for Thursday’s winter storm in Northern California

If you must journey to the Sierra during Thursday’s snowstorm, be ready.

Caltrans’ John O’Connell joined the KCRA Information at midday and suggested individuals to keep away from pointless journey to the Sierra. However he additionally shared security suggestions for individuals who are braving the weather on roadways.

Folks must be ready for spinouts and different difficult situations as a result of “climate like this within the mountains is a fluid scenario,” he mentioned.

Among the many Sierra security suggestions:

• Be certain that your windshield wipers are working and headlights are on and functioning.
• Convey bottled water, snacks, meals, blankets and flashlights as a result of “you simply by no means know when you’re going to be caught up there for a chronic time period,” O’Connell mentioned.
• Maintain your telephone charged and your fuel tank full.
• Keep away from different routes like backroads as a result of these roads are usually not plowed steadily.

| RELATED | Live updates for Thursday’s winter storm in Northern California