Winter storm creates severe road conditions in Flathead Valley

A major winter storm loaded with gusting winds and heavy snow barreled into the Flathead Valley on Thursday morning, creating severe driving conditions and putting road crews into continuous action. 

Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino reported low to zero visibility on some county roads as an arctic front moved across the region, setting off blizzard conditions from the Bad Rock Canyon to Kalispell.

Low visibility and drifting snow caused dangerous driving conditions along U.S. 2 from the intersection with Montana 40 to West Glacier, and at McGregor Lake west of Kalispell, the Montana Department of Transportation reported. Along U.S. 93, severe conditions were reported from Montana 82 to the Armory, and along the Kalispell bypass.

A section of Hodgson Road near Columbia Falls was closed Thursday morning due to blowing snow. Gates were installed earlier this year to prevent traffic during any closure.

In Kalispell, Four Mile Drive between Stillwater and West Springcreek Road was closed Thursday afternoon.

“Flathead County roads and sheriff’s department, as well as the cities, are doing everything they can, but the high winds and whiteout conditions will make it difficult,” Flathead County Public Information Officer Kim Grieser stated in a media release.

Keith Haskins with Kalispell Public Works said the city street department had prepared its equipment for cold temperatures, with all staff “out plowing and supervisors are monitoring areas subject to drifting.” 

He stated that continuous monitoring Thursday night would transition back to plowing by 4 a.m. Friday.

“If the police department reports conditions that need to be addressed based on field assessments, our on-call staff are prepared to respond as necessary,” Haskins assured.

SOME PEOPLE ventured out into the blizzard Thursday as they prepared for a long weekend with temperatures forecast to plummet near historic lows. Thermometer readings in Kalispell of minus 30 were possible by Friday night.

Marty Stryker, 56, wearing a neon green ski mask and high-visibility gear, was bussing carts at Super 1 grocery store in Kalispell as the wind chill dipped below zero.

“I was born in Kalispell,” he said. “This is going to be good for moisture. But it’s bad to work in.” 

He compared the recent arctic blast to the biggest storms of 1996, a year many in Montana recall well. 

“We got 2 feet of snow on Thanksgiving and 2 feet of snow Christmas Day.” 

Staring into the squall out the window, he added, “Probably this is the lowest wind chill I’ve ever seen in the Flathead Valley.” 

To survive this storm, he planned to bundle up and keep at it.  

Norm and Marlynn Simpson, 80 and 75, from Bigfork, were not heavily dressed — no hat on Marlynn, coats open — they also appeared untouched by the snow even though they were just outside. 

“We have a car appointment we had to keep, and it didn’t get this bad until we got here,” Marlynn admitted. 

Nonetheless, Marlynn took heed of storm warnings, saying “it’s imperative that people prepare for this kind of thing.” 

“I’ve lived here 40 years. One or two storms were about the same as this,” Marlynn recalled, while her husband Norm attributed their survival to portable heaters, a good fireplace, and ample food and water storage.

“We enjoy it,” Norm cautiously decided, adding, “in a way.”

“But we hang on here because we love the four seasons of Montana,” Marlynn concluded.

Rhonda Catlett, 50, of Kalispell, said, “Well — we do live in Montana. It’s winter.” 

She plans to start snowmobiling and ice fishing as soon as possible. 

“If you don’t find a way to enjoy this weather, you go bananas.” 

“Sure, it gets old by February,” she admitted. “You deal with it.”

To prepare for the storm, she focused on keeping extra water and having lots of wood on hand, noting that electricity seems to go out more often as of late.

SOME COUNTY services planned to close Friday due to the weather and extreme cold temperatures.

The Agency on Aging dining room on 11th street in Kalispell advised residents that it would not be serving lunch Friday. However, if someone does show up, they were prepared to provide a take-home meal.

Meals on Wheels will not be delivering food Friday, as well. Grieser said all recipients have been notified, and drivers are taking extra meals today on their deliveries. 

“We would like to encourage our residents to check in on the elderly during this dangerous cold,” Grieser added.

The 4-H food tasting event at the fairgrounds was cancelled, along with the Glacier Challenge gymnastics meet that was set to happen at the fairgrounds.

Other area closures due to weather included:

• Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, Columbia Falls, West Valley, Somers-Lakeside and Stillwater Christian were among school districts to cancel classes for Friday.

• Flathead Valley Community College’s Kalispell and Lincoln County campuses will be closed on Friday.

• Whitefish Mountain Resort closed all of its lifts Thursday and planned to remain closed on Friday.

• The Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country planned to close Thursday and Friday.

• The Going-to-the-Sun Road closed at the foot of Lake McDonald at around 3 p.m.

Reporter Carl Foster can be reached at 758-4407 or cfoster@dailyinterlake.com.

A resident of Third Avenue East shovels snow on Thursday, Jan. 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

    Macy Warr and her dog Lucy walk along First Avenue West on Thursday, Jan. 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Martin Rippens clears snow in front of his home along Third Avenue East in Kalispell on Thursday, Jan. 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Martin Rippens clears snow in front of his home along Third Avenue East in Kalispell on Thursday, Jan. 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider