Snow Plows Patrolling 101: Multiple Accidents Occurring on Roads Throughout the Emerald Counties
The video above was taken at 7:38 p.m. by Kaliana Keegan who said she saw several accidents at that time. There are reports of more since then.
As of about 7:30 tonight, Caltrans snow plows have been patrolling Highway 101 from around Leggett to Willits. Please consider not driving this stretch tonight. In fact, please consider not driving at all. There are multiple accidents stretching emergency services and tow services to the max. Currently, as of 11:34 p.m., there is a five vehicle accident on northbound Hwy 101 near north Arcata.
There has been at least one fatal accident on Hwy 1 about 9 p.m. According to the California Highway Patrol Incident page, snow or hail at the time caused a vehicle pulling a U-Haul Trailer to slide off the road.
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Im glad I took branscomb road to the coast rather than hwy 20. There was hail coming down heavy with sun rays shining through the trees. Beautiful really.
Branscomb road on the west switchbacks
Lovely!
I seriously have a hard time understanding the small capacity of humboldtians not being able to drive in other than sunshiny or perfect conditions. Is it the drugs? Or is it stupidity?
Just imagine living in canada or alaska… Riddle me that matey!
What is wrong with all these unable people? This is why the dmv needs to stop handi g out drivers licenses for 20 dollars. Something is definetly wrong with this picture.
Shhh! I can drive in mud. I can drive in a pasture. I pulled stuck, upside-down vehicles out of a road with a single chain but I’ve probably only driven on ice a handful of days….and I am not a safe driver in icy conditions.
Those who can drive well on ice should be pleased they can do something that others of us who are reasonably competent can’t.
I agree kym!!! Ive pulled stuff out, slid thru that clay mud and driven through some crazy snow.
Ice is a whole different thing, somewhat like gooey mud but not the same. The hail freezes and it doesnt look icy but it is! Black ice as well. Its the slamming of the brakes that will really getcha spinning, that ive learned, but hands down ice is my least fave to havta drive on.
People do need to slow the hell down, the tailgating is ridiculous these days!!!!
When you end up in the river, we will be sure to blame you as we save your ass.
I drove through here at this time last night, had to pull over because the road disappeared from my vision. Its not stupidity at all. In these conditions, you must pull over! I felt so bad for all the cars going that way after what I just went through so reading this, I am not surprised.
By the way, hail or snow do not cause anything really.
Bad driving on the other hand can be the cause of all sorts of problems.
There are horrible drivers on 101. Slow the f Down. For real. I’m sick of tailgaters when I’m going 56 with a child near peg house. Serioisly what’s the rush? Got into a pedal race with a truck drober near rattlesnake
What’s e you trying to prove? Really
It’s so silly. The sad part is usually the fast drivers think they are better drivers cuz they drive fast… can you citizen arrest people?
“I seriously have a hard time understanding the small capacity of humboldtians not being able to drive in other than sunshiny or perfect conditions. Is it the drugs? Or is it stupidity?
Just imagine living in canada or alaska… Riddle me that matey!
What is wrong with all these unable people? This is why the dmv needs to stop handi g out drivers licenses for 20 dollars. Something is definetly wrong with this picture”
Wow, talk about gross over generalizations. Sheesh…
If you live in a region where there is a high percentage of ice/snow days then you have the opportunity to learn to drive in hazardous conditions.
When you drive a vehicle with 4wd/AWD and have snow tires you may or may not get over confident in the traction of the tires and your ability to drive relatively too fast for the road conditions.
Yes there are drivers who are far too cocky and very aggressive for the road conditions. And if you can pull over safely for them to pass then do so.
Whats “wrong in this picture” is that all day yesterday we had quickly changing road conditions and folks who would spin out and slip off the roadways.
Sometimes it is best to just stay home off the roads.
Well, I have lived in snow country most of my life before moving to humbolt… and let me tell you, icey roads, cliffs and very narrow roads, without snow plows, and lots of rock salt, very scary. The roads around here definitely warrant respect.. but even more when the occasional ice storm breaks out.. SLOW DOWN FOLKS PLEASE! It’s not just your life at steak, but others on the road.. the search and rescue, and your passengers. Icey roads are unpredictable, even for experienced drivers. Slow down and give thanks for the water crystals!
(I want to die peacefully, in my sleep..like my grandfather.. not screaming in the back like his passangers… lol 😉
I learned to drive in the snow. I’m pretty good at it. But what happened yesterday was not only snow but hail too. There are only two real protections on steep hail covered roads. Stay home or hope that you meet no one else on the road so that your inevitable skids do not take someone else out or theirs do not take you out. Keep your distance and treat the accelerator and break pedals as if they were made of egg shells.
I can remember the inevitable accidents in places where it snows a lot because, on the first couple of days of real snow, even people who drive in it every year had forgotten how over the summer.
The trouble with highways is that everyone, good and bad, is on them within striking distance.
I was on the Willits grade last night, there was a camper truck that was flipped around the wrong way, everyone there that was stopped could not start driving again without sliding on the ice.
Im from Michigan and I lived in Tahoe previously, I did not have the same issue, but I realized the reason I know how to drive in snow is that the first snow at least one time with each car you go out and do donuts so then you learned how to correct your car how quickly it fishtails and what it feels like in each car. And you give people 20 ft of space even at 3 mph This was Seirra Cement coming down on top of a layer of black ice.. not for the faint hearted, it took an hour and 20 minutes to get from the Willits scales to Ukiah.
Makes my heart thump to think about driving in that.
There was a lot of snow on the ground and whiteout conditions last night N/B 101 between Laytonville and Leggett. Some of the most challenging conditions I’ve ever encountered. Good Mochas at Peg House though.
It’s physics. Cars & trucks weigh many pounds. When they lose traction at any speed, they continue to move no matter how you brake & steer.
The only sensible things to do are
1. Slow down, way down.
2. STAY HOME BY THE FIRE
Ice and snow are very different conditions. Those deep curves along the river can harbor strips of ice. Cal trans has been working hard to keep everything open, but in these conditions, it is chance you drive with. Stay focused and vigilant and drive like there are kids along the road. Let’s watch out for each other.