Metro Detroiters Dig Out After Winter Storm Drops 8-11 Inches Of Snow
EASTPOINTE (WWJ) - Residents across metro Detroit are digging out Monday morning after a big winter storm brought the first measurable snowfall of the season.
In northern Oakland County, White Lake lived up to its name — with 11 inches of snow accumulating, tied with Lakeville. In Wayne County, Romulus was not far behind with 10.6 inches of snowfall. Flint rounded out the double-digit measurements with 10 inches.
Sterling Heights got the most snow in Macomb County, topping out at 11 inches. Eastpointe picked up 9 and a half inches. Wixom, Howell and Saginaw had between 8 and 9 inches, while Port Huron got just shy of 8 inches.
Hundreds of Michigan schools are closed, and sanitation companies in some communities said trash would not be picked up on Monday due to deep snow.
Annette Raimer of Eastpointe said her street got enough snow to cause come traffic trouble.
"This morning I had to walk in to work due to the fact that I drive a giant Navigator but the person that lives across the street from me was stuck in the street," she told WWJ's Charlie Langton. "So I couldn't get my truck out of my own driveway because her tiny ride was stuck in the street behind mine...Yay, Monday!"
After a passing ploy covered her car with snow, Eastpointe resident Brandie Scott had to recruit some neighbors to help dig it out.
"Right now we're all packed in — the snow is shoveled all on the side of my car — so I'm really just trying to shovel it out to get to work, and we're making it happen," she said. "It's hard, it's rough, but we're making it happen!"
In Highland Park, Richard (who didn't give his last name) said everyone is talking about the snow.
"They say the main roads aren't too bad, but coming in off the main roads onto the side streets is a little tough," he said. "They haven't gotten there to clean it up yet, but everything else is pretty good."
In Oakland County, the Road Commission's Craig Bryson said the plows are running at full tilt.
"We're still going to be in cleanup mode on the main roads probably most of the day today," Bryson told WWJ Monday morning. "If we can begin to get into the subdivisions today we'd be doing well. That remains to be seen."
In Warren, Mayor Jim Fouts took to Facebook to urge residents' patience.
"We have hundreds of miles to clear and it will take some time after snow has concluded," Fouts said. " It will take some time as it snowed continuously for a good deal of time...Most of the neighborhoods should be done by the end of the day. Feel free to call me if you have a complaint."
On a lighter note, the mayor added, "This is a picture perfect Christmas card day. Great atmosphere for people like myself that really do enjoy this time of the year!"
Know before you go: Keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest forecast during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s. See the live, local radar now at this link and check for backups on our real-time traffic map, here.
