For Immediate Release:  Monday, December 22, 2014

Contact: Kristi Sandal, Public Information Officer, 605-773-3265

   Winter Storm May Create Difficult Driving Conditions in the Black Hills

PIERRE, S.D. – State Transportation and Public Safety officials are cautioning travelers that additional snowfall amounts of 10 or more inches are expected in the northern Black Hills through mid-morning on Tuesday.

Along with the heavy snow, sustained winds of 30-plus mph and gusts to 50 mph will create areas of limited visibility and hazardous driving conditions.

Officials are encouraging motorists to get where they are going now or make alternate plans to wait and travel once the storm has passed.

Motorists who must travel should drive with extreme caution and are encouraged to visit www.safetravelusa.com/sd or dial 511 to check the latest road conditions and travel advisories before heading out.

Motorists are also advised that snowplow operators will work until early evening or until conditions become unsafe for crews to be out and should keep in mind conditions may deteriorate during the overnight hours.

If you must travel, the departments of Transportation and Public Safety recommend travelers also take the following steps.

• Wear your seatbelt.
• Travel during the day.
• Drive with your headlights on (not daytime running lights) so you can be seen by other motorists from the front and rear.
• Use highly traveled roads and highways.
• Keep family and friends informed of your travel schedule and route.
• Call 511 or visit safetravelusa.com for road conditions.
• Keep a winter weather survival kit in your car. The kit should include blankets, warm clothing, water, energy bars, a flashlight, a distress flag, a shovel and matches.
• Travel with a charged cell phone, but don’t rely on it to get you out of a bad situation.
• Change travel plans as weather conditions warrant.

If you do get stranded:

• Stay in your vehicle.
• Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes an hour to stay warm.
• When the engine is running, open a window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.  Periodically clearing snow from the exhaust pipe will also help prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
• When it’s dark outside, turn on the interior light so rescuers can see you.
• Put up a distress flag, or spread a large colored cloth on the ground to attract attention from rescuers.

Sign up for road closures, no travel advisories and flooding information at www.safetravelusa.com/sd and click on the CP icon in the upper right-hand corner.

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