North Dakota shut down during massive blizzard
Kristen Jones
Farmer Staff Reporter
Last week, McKenzie County residents and businesses dealt with a blizzard that shut down the entire state.
While North Dakota was briefly nicknamed the “Candy Cane State” for the red and white striped pattern used by the state’s official road condition map, the “no travel advisory” markers were a very serious warning.
North Dakota’s Division of Transportation advised motorists to take “no travel advisory” warnings seriously. Motorists risk their safety and the safety of others when they drive during a no travel advisory. They may become stranded and emergency responders may not be able to reach them safely. A no travel advisory has the potential to change to “road closed” or “blocked” if conditions deteriorate, which is what happened across the state during the storm.
In one of his Facebook Live videos, Officer Jeff Jensen of the Watford City Police Department implored citizens to stay home during the dangerous conditions. “I really cannot stress this enough…please stay home. Please let the plows do their jobs.”
An ongoing theme from law enforcement, Watford City and McKenzie County officials was to heed the advisories and let the plows have time to do their jobs.