Chances are you’ve never seen Highway 40 look like a parking lot and even though
circumstances over the weekend resembled this in some areas, those present likely
couldn’t see it either thanks to high winds creating near white out conditions. Uintah
County Search and Rescue joined the rescue mission that resulted in the contacting of
over 270 vehicles on Friday night and into Saturday. Highway 40 was closed due to the
dangerous conditions from Strawberry Reservoir to Duchesne as search and rescue crews
from multiple counties as well as Utah Highway Patrol, State Parks, and many
snowplows and tow truck drivers got to work. Some injuries were reported, including
possible mild cases of hypothermia. The rescues also included an ice fisherman stranded
in the conditions on the reservoir itself. Dangerous conditions also existed on 191 in
Indian Canyon and on 191 north of Vernal making travel in or out of the Uintah Basin
impossible for periods of time over the weekend. Mail delivery drivers were among those
unable to travel to or from the Uintah Basin as were many high school teams that had
traveled for sporting events. Uintah High School Cheer was prevented from traveling to
their competition on the Wasatch Front and were able to compete remotely from the
Uintah High School gym.
Photo Credit Uintah County Search And Rescue
