For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 14, 2019

Contact: Kristi Sandal, Public Information Officer, 605-295-3753, Kristi.sandal@state.sd.us

PIERRE, S.D. – Officials are opening the closed portion of Interstate 90 between Rapid City and the Wyoming border at 9 a.m. MDT (10 a.m. CDT).

TRAVEL CAUTION: Winds are still very high and while this portion of the Interstate is open, the roadway is still covered with about half an inch of ice.

Officials are asking drivers of high-profile vehicles to wait until this afternoon to travel when the winds decrease & crews have had more time to treat and reduce the amount of ice on the roadway.

I-90 remains closed between Rapid City and Exit 260 at Oacoma/Chamberlain. Roads across much of the rest of the state have “No Travel Advised” or are marked as “Impassable/Blocked”. Crews are out where visibility allows.

There is also significant flooding in the south central, southeastern part of the state, including a section of I-90 between Exits 264 and 268.

Motorists are cautioned to remember winter driving conditions still exist across the state and if you must travel to slow down, keep the cruise off and give plow drivers and emergency responders room to work.

Drivers are reminded to check www.safetravelusa.com/sd or call 5-1-1 before to view road conditions, No Travel Advisories, flooded roadways and roads marked as impassable.

If you are travelling today, the departments of Transportation and Public Safety recommend motorists 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
• Don’t use cruise control on icy or snow-covered roads
• Use highly traveled roads and highways
• Keep family and friends informed of your travel schedule and route
• Call 5-1-1 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

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