Severe Blizzard Conditions Hit Omaha Metro as Roads Close

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Severe weather is impacting the Omaha metro as blizzard conditions develop, prompting road closures and warnings for residents. The rains that began earlier in the day have transitioned to heavy snow, with significant winds making travel treacherous.

As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service announced that travel is not advised in the city and surrounding areas due to strong winds and limited visibility caused by ongoing snowfall. A blizzard warning is in effect for the area from Tuesday evening into Wednesday.

Meteorologist Luke Vickery reported live from downtown Fremont at about 4:00 p.m., where rain had been predominant before the storm shifted to snow. “Visibility could be drastically reduced in just a couple of hours due to heavy snow and strong north winds,” Vickery warned drivers, emphasizing the importance of precautions if they must be on the roads tonight.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation announced the closure of Interstate 80 between Grand Island and Lincoln due to dangerous conditions, including whiteout scenarios. They also advised, “Travel is not advised as responders will not be able to get to you.”

The Saunders County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that plows were pulled off the highways due to severe conditions, further complicating travel efforts. Multiple crashes have already been reported along affected routes, including a fatal crash near Grand Island.

Power outages have also affected approximately 7,000 OPPD customers across Douglas and Sarpy counties as high winds downed power lines. Residents are advised to prepare for potential outages and keep flashlights handy.

Creighton University and multiple school districts in the area, including Omaha Public Schools, have announced closures and moved to virtual learning for the safety of students. This notice followed warnings issued around 7:30 p.m. to stay indoors as conditions were expected to worsen.

Treacherous travel conditions are anticipated to persist into Wednesday, with gusts forecasted to reach 70 mph at times. City officials in Council Bluffs have declared a snow emergency, which will remain in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday, prohibiting parking on designated snow routes to facilitate snow removal.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant as the storm progresses, stay updated with the latest weather alerts, and avoid unnecessary travel. This storm is expected to dissipate by Wednesday evening, but forecasters are already monitoring another potential snow event later in the week.

For ongoing updates, residents are encouraged to follow local news outlets and the National Weather Service for further advisories.