Omaha-metro drivers deal with snow, slush as storm moves through

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Drivers in the Omaha-metro were struggling with the wintery mix falling across the area on Wednesday.

While traffic was light and moving slower heading into the normal rush-hour time of day, the roads were slushy around 4 p.m. as precipitation vacillated from rain to snow in the afternoon. Some crashes were reported, but nothing impacting major roadways.

Omaha Public Works had snowplows out working to clear main streets Wednesday. The city planned to send 110 trucks to clear the city’s arterial streets first, then city drivers will plow around the clock until those streets were cleared.

The Omaha-area branch of the National Weather Service said a lightning strike hit near Gretna.

Conditions were much worse in other parts of the state. The storm prompted authorities to close Interstate 80 and Highway 30 in the central and western parts of the state, from Grand Island to the Colorado and Wyoming borders.

During his news conference Wednesday morning, Gov. Jim Pillen asked Nebraskans to keep farmers in those harder-hit areas working to care for livestock in their thoughts and prayers.

Many schools and businesses in the Omaha-metro were closed before the snow rolled in, some posting their cancellations Tuesday evening.

But the lack of anticipated accumulation caused some adjustments. Ralston canceled its snow emergency alert Wednesday evening, putting regular parking rules back into effect.

Meanwhile, some residents in the area were having fun with the wet snow that did fall. A few viewers sent in photos and videos — and you can, too!

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This is a developing story. Stay with 6 News for updates.

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