Road commission pulls plow trucks; police urge motorists to STAY OFF ROADS

Cars lined up on U.S. 31 expressway near Pentwater. Photo by Justin Ray/MCP

LUDINGTON — The Valentine’s Day storm is so severe that the Mason County Road Commission has pulled their plow trucks until further notice, a Mason County Sheriff’s Office special statement issued at 5:44 p.m. reported.

“The Mason County Board of Commissioners, Mason County Sheriff and Michigan State Police are urging motorists to STAY OFF THE ROADS in Mason County until this current winter storm passes. Residents are asked to shelter in place and NOT venture out. The National Weather

Service expects the winds to remain strong until 10 p.m. tonight. The Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police have called in all available personnel. Troopers and deputies will only be responding to emergency calls; please understand, back roads in Mason County are impassable at this time.

Currently law enforcement is out on numerous traffic crashes along the US-31 Freeway in southern Mason County.  Pere Marquette Hwy. south of Ludington is closed due to a multiple-vehicle crashes and stuck vehicles.

The Mason County Road Commission has pulled their plow trucks until further notice. Only call 911 in the event of an emergency. The 911 system is becoming overloaded with calls for service.

Tow companies cannot keep up with calls for service; there is a six-hour wait for tow trucks. Again, this is a dangerous storm and residents are urged to stay inside.”