Heavy Snow Caused Crashes, Power Outages, Plow Truck Fires

Mar 29, 2019, 5:17 AM | Updated: 10:58 am

KSLTV.com

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A late storm that brought heavy snow has coated Utah roads with thick slush. Here’s how the morning shaped up.

7:30 a.m.

Rocky mountain power is reporting 16,000 customers without power due to the extreme weather: “Crews will continue to work throughout the day to restore outages across our service territory. Thank you for your patience.”

Scattered outages in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas affecting over 16000 customers. The cause of the outage is due to extreme weather. Crews will continue to work throughout the day to restore outages across our service territory. Thank you for your patience.

— Rocky Mountain Power UT (@RMP_Utah) March 29, 2019

In Alta, an interlodge is in effect. The Alta Marshal Twitter accounted tweeted to remind people who disregard the order that the standard fine is $1,000.

The snow plow fire has been successfully put out, and authorities are working to clear the scene.

Good news! @RMP_Utah is now on scene and will be able to determine if it’s safe to move the line that started the plow on fire in Emigration Canyon. @KSL5TV #ksltv #utah pic.twitter.com/yJJXw1ZUOF

— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) March 29, 2019

7:15 a.m.

Issues are continuing on 3300 South in Salt Lake City as flooding under I-15 impeded the morning commute. Cars continued to stall throughout the morning.

7 a.m.

UDOT is reporting that eastbound I-84 is closed at the mouth of Weber Canyon due to weather. There is no estimated time for when it will reopen.

There are also more than 15,000 customers without power after heavy snow damaged power lines.

More than 15,000 customers without power along the Wasatch Front according to @RMP_Utah. Much of this due to downed power lines from the very heavy snow. pic.twitter.com/saeOWtA7Jd

— Heather Kelly (@KSLHeatherKelly) March 29, 2019

6:45 a.m.

News specialist Felicia Martinez reporting crews are responding to downed power lines and broken branches.

Fire crews responding all over to down power lines or large branches falling sis to heavy snow. currently assessing a back ally behind homes in SLC 958 South 425 East SLC where a large branch fell on a car pic.twitter.com/j2ODC1RqKz

— Felicia Martinez (@FeliciaNews) March 29, 2019

6:30 a.m.

Emigration Canyon has been closed in both directions after a power line came down on top of a snow plow, sparking a fire.

BREAKING NEWS: Emigration Canyon is now closed after a power line fell on a snow plow — causing the plow to CATCH FIRE. #ksltv #utwx #stormwatch pic.twitter.com/N1bfYN3M7P

— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) March 29, 2019

The KSL Traffic

6:15 a.m.

KSL TV meteorologist Grant Weyman said the brunt of the storm is expected to last until about 8 a.m., with scattered showers to follow throughout the day.

KSL traffic specialist Haley Smith said roads up and down the Wasatch Front are experiencing slushy, slick conditions.

Heavy snow is causing some tree branches to break. News specialist Shara Park spotted a particularly large broken branch that had landed on a vehicle on 1300 East in Salt Lake City.

Emerson Avenue off 1300 E., we’re seeing a lot of branches broken like this, but this one is by far the biggest broken branch we’ve seen. I ran up to the door and made sure the owner of the vehicle was aware. 😬 @KSL5TV #ksltv #utah pic.twitter.com/vICmsq4rtb

— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) March 29, 2019

Traffic is also backed up on 3300 South in Salt Lake City due to flooding under the I-15 overpass. Avoid this area.

6 a.m.

News specialist Shara Park is reporting multiple slide-offs due to slick roads. This one is in Sugarhouse. Please remember to take it slow — even if it means you’ll be late for work!

We’ve passed a handful of slide offs, this one is on the off ramp to 1300 E. in Sugarhouse. @KSL5TV #ksltv #utah pic.twitter.com/3ZfQIJ2UsC

— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) March 29, 2019

Authorities have responded to multiple vehicles being affected by flooding under I-15 on 3300 South in South Salt Lake. Avoid this area.

5:45 a.m.

News specialist Shara Park is reporting snow and slush on the I-215 Belt connecting to Foothill Drive in Salt Lake City.

5:38AM I-215 E Belt connecting to Foothill Drive, roads are very slushy and snow packed in this area. @KSL5TV #KSLTV #utah pic.twitter.com/lwUph6AFHT

— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) March 29, 2019

UTA is reporting that all bus routes in the Avenues are on snow routing, and none of the buses will be going any higher than South Temple in Salt Lake City.

Bus Alert 5:19 am: All routes in the Avenues are now on snow routing. Buses will not being going any higher than South Temple due to road conditions.

— UTA (@RideUTA) March 29, 2019

Rocky Mountain Power has also reported 168 outages in Utah, affecting 8,311 customers.

Major power outages this morning, @RMP_Utah reporting 168 outages impacting 8,311 customers. #KSLTV #Utah @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/YUKApLxxkS

— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) March 29, 2019

Udot is also reporting that roadway restrictions are in place for Parley’s Canyon. Chains or four-wheel drive are required for semi trucks through the canyon. The chain-up area is located on the right at mile post 146 in Summit County.

5:30 a.m.

There’s flooding under the I-15 overpass at 3300 South in South Salt Lake. Avoid this road if you can.

Breaking news specialist Shara Park is reporting wet roads, but no serious slush, in the area of 9000 South and I-15.

5:20AM NB I-15 at 9000 S., just seeing wet roads in this area of the valley, the snow has melted off here. That’s good news for the commute. @KSL5TV #ksltv #utah pic.twitter.com/hfaoLgXKXO

— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) March 29, 2019

5:15 a.m.

UDOT is reporting signal problems at 3300 South at the I-215 East junction and surrounding areas in East Millcreek. Remember to treat these intersections as a 4-way stop. Officials expect to have the issue fixed at about 6:55 a.m.

News specialist Shara Park is reporting snowy, slushy roads at I-80 eastbound approaching I-15: “The transition ramp is very slick.”

4:58AM I-80 EB approaching I-15, snow packed roads. The transition ramp is very slick. Use caution. #SLC #KSLTV #Utah @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/5yX4DHw9eF

— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) March 29, 2019

News specialist Felicia Martinez is out in the weather this morning, part of our team coverage of the sudden storm.