Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Sarah Reimer works to clear snow from her vehicle in downtown Shawano before heading home from work early during Tuesday’s winter storm.
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Shasta Kuhn, who works in downtown Shawano, scrapes snow and ice off her vehicle before the drive home during Tuesday’s snowstorm.
A winter storm walloped the Shawano area Tuesday in the middle of the workday, closing schools, snarling traffic and prompting businesses to send employees home early.
Snow began falling shortly after noon, and conditions worsened quickly enough that businesses began shutting down within a couple of hours.
Officials at school districts in Shawano and Menominee counties had already canceled classes for the day, as forecasters warned of a strong storm approaching.
“It got bad fast,” said Jason Reed, facilities manager for Cooperative Resources International, which sent employees home shortly after the lunch hour.
The National Weather Service reported accumulations of 5 to 6 inches in the Shawano region within the first two hours after the storm hit.
“It came down fast and furious,” said Roy Eckberg, a meteorologist at the weather service station in Green Bay.
Eckberg said the snow was expected to taper off Tuesday night, but another round of snowfall was possible starting early Wednesday morning. Forecasters predicted final accumulations of 8 to 12 inches.
It was the first major winter weather event in the area since a storm dumped 10 inches here Dec. 28-29.
Police officials had cautioned motorists to stay off the roads as Tuesday’s storm approached, but several traffic mishaps were reported after travel conditions deteriorated in the afternoon.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department reported five traffic accidents within the first 90 minutes of the storm. Details of the incidents were not immediately available.
Sheriff’s Capt. Tom Tuma said officials could bring on additional manpower, if necessary, to handle weather-related traffic mishaps.
“It’s all based on what we’re seeing out there,” Tuma said.
The storm also forced the closing of the Shawano Recreation Center, Clintonville Recreation Center, Clintonville Public Library and Menominee County government offices, among other facilities and activities.
In Bonduel, police officers knocked on doors to check the well-being of senior citizens known to have health problems, making sure those residents were prepared for the coming storm.
“We try and stay connected with them,” Police Chief Todd Chaney said.
Shawano city public works crews planned to start clearing streets Tuesday afternoon to make sure travelers could make it home for the night. Those crews then would return to the streets after midnight to clear travel for the Wednesday morning commute, Shawano Public Works Director Eddie Sheppard said.
The city has nine snowplows, plus front-end loaders and other equipment used in snow removal operations.
“We will get out there,” Sheppard said, “and we will stay out there.”
As the storm worsened Tuesday afternoon, many businesses shut down early to allow employees to get home.
At the Gentleman’s Quarter clothing store in downtown Shawano, store manager Mark Rindt said there was no reason to stay open, as the storm caused shoppers to scatter and downtown became deserted.
“There’s nobody around,” Rindt said. “Everybody’s staying home.”