Massive Snowstorm Cripples Midwest, Leaves Thousands Stranded
A sudden and severe snowstorm blanketed much of the Midwest this weekend, snarling travel plans for thousands returning home from the Thanksgiving holiday. Travel came
to a standstill on major highways, while nearly 2 feet of snow piled up in some areas, burying cars in drifts and rendering roads impassable.
The storm system delivered a quick blast of wintry weather, catching many off guard. Northern states were particularly hard hit, with parts of Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania seeing heavy snowfall and significant accumulations.
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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro declared a disaster emergency, urging residents to stay off the roads, as first responders struggled to reach those in need. “This is a potentially dangerous situation,” Shapiro said. “Travel conditions
are extremely hazardous.”
This Ohio State Highway camera shows westbound lanes of I-90 closed near Erie, Pennsylvania. “Our advice is to stay home if possible. If you must travel, please allow extra time and use extreme caution,” said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials.
Stranded Travelers Seek Refuge
As highways shut down, frustrated travelers looked for shelter along the way. Many sought refuge in hotels near major highways. A fully booked Holiday Inn near Erie, Pennsylvania, became an impromptu refuge for dozens who found themselves stranded when snow engulfed the region.
“They just showed up,” Avatar Jeremiah Weatherley
One traveler, Jeremiah Weatherleyowiak Living in the area, described the situation as chaotic yet heartwarming. “We had people coming in all night long.
It was hard to manage,
but we had to open up our doors. We didn’t want to turn people away in this weather.”
Michigan Outs big
Several Michigan communities were buried under multiple feet of snow, forcing local schools to cancel classes and rendering some local roads impassable. The Upper Peninsula, known for its winter weather, was particularly hard-hit with some
locations reporting over two feet of snow. Large lake-effect bands consistently carrying snow
built communiti
“It’s not unusual to see large snowfalls in this area in November,” said Lily Chapman, a meteorologist in Marquette, Michigan.
The region, however, was receiving more than usual, with some areas getting two or more feet.
“These heavy lake effect bands are pretty persistent,” Chapman said Saturday. “Right now we’re seeing some areas get upwards of another foot by Monday morning.”
The coastal region of Gaylord, Michigan, set a new record for daily snowfall, accumulating 24.8 inches,
breaking the previous record from 1942, according to the local National Weather Service office.
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In Gaylord, local ski resorts were thrilled with the hefty snowfall. Advertise
“Our winter sports lovers are going to be excited -we’ve got a natural snow pack just ahead
of our usual opening next weekend,” lauded
Doug Hoeh, director of recreation at Treetops Resort.
< públicostedney of snow, the snowmaking
crew plans to get busy adding to the base layer.
The massive amount
His Xmas undue the moonlight.<
said Doug Hoeh, meantime
“But we’re close to being ready to pull the trigger on skiing.
”
We’re going
forget
.
State police across the affected areas reported responding to nearly 200 incidents during a 24-hour period, with many calling for assistance being stranded motorists.
In the midst of a weather
What caused Jeremiah Weatherley to realize he needed to get off the highway?
## Interview with a Traveler Stranded by Midwest Snowstorm
**Anchor:** Welcome back, we’re here with Jeremiah Weatherley, a traveler who found himself stranded by the recent massive snowstorm wreaking havoc across the Midwest. Jeremiah, welcome to the show.
**Jeremiah:** Thanks for having me.
**Anchor:** Can you tell us a little bit about your experience? Where were you headed, and when did you realize you were in trouble?
**Jeremiah:** Well, I was driving back home to [Jeremiah’s Hometown, Pennsylvania] from visiting family for Thanksgiving. Everything was fine until I hit Erie, Pennsylvania. It was snowing hard, but then it just intensified – it felt like the world turned white in an instant! Visibility plummeted, and I could barely see the car in front of me.
**Anchor:** So, what happened next?
**Jeremiah:** Roads started to get really bad, cars were spinning out, and things were just getting dangerous. I knew I needed to get off the highway. Thankfully, I saw a sign for a Holiday Inn just off the exit and managed to get there. The parking lot was already filling up with other stranded drivers.
**Anchor:** Just imagine the scene with dozens of people all trying to find shelter.
**Jeremiah:** It was hectic, let me tell you! People were coming in all night long, looking for a warm place to stay, something to eat. The hotel staff was overwhelmed but incredibly kind. They did everything they could to accommodate everyone.
**Anchor:** It sounds like it was a real testament to the kindness of strangers.
**Jeremiah:** Absolutely. It was amazing to see everyone pulling together to help each other out in that situation. No one was complaining; everyone understood the circumstances. It was truly heartwarming.
**Anchor:** Jeremiah, thanks so much for sharing your story. We hope you and everyone else stuck in this storm are able to get home safely.
