Tow Bans Ordered For Black Hawk, Several Other Counties

Motorists who get their vehicles stuck in Black Hawk County won't be able to get a tow for several hours.

According to Sheriff Tony Thompson, a county-wide tow ban is currently in effect. The tow ban is scheduled to be lifted at 8 AM Friday.

"All non-emergency level towing services are prohibited from roadway implementation until after this signmificant snow event has subsided," Sheriff Tony Thompson said. "The use of towing services to remove stuck vehicles or accident-related motor vehicles from ditches and medianss simply creates more hazards for the roadside responders and emergency workers as well as other motoring public. This is an unnecessary risk that is better preserved until after this snow event has concluded."

Black Hawk isn't the only county that's issued a tow ban. The following eastern Iowa counties also have a tow ban in place: Allamakee, Benton, Buchanan, Butler, Clayton, Fayette, Grundy, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Poweshiek, Tama and Winneshiek.

A blizzard warning remains in effect for 25 counties in north and central Iowa until 6 AM Friday, along with a weather advisory for much of the rest of the state. The blizzard warning includes Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Grundy, Tama, Hardin and Marshall counties. Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Waverly, Grundy Center, Iowa Falls and Marshalltown are among the cities in the warned area.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has hundreds of plows working state-wide to keep the roads clear, but blowing and drifting snow is making the task difficult. White-out conditions are occurring in parts of Iowa, due to 40 MPH wind gusts.

Officials are advising NO TRAVEL for a large portion of north and central Iowa. The advisory includes a section of Interstate 35 and a stretch of Interstate 80 between Des Moines and Brooklyn.