Just before Halloween, residents in Spokane, Washington, experienced its snowiest October day on record. But 6.2 inches of snow, a record-breaking amount for the city this time of year, wasn’t the only surprise. Locals also had to deal with slick and icy roads, which caused several accidents. Thousands were also left without electricity.
According to the National Weather Service, the city had hit 4.7 inches of snow by 4 p.m. on Friday. By 7 p.m., 6.2 inches had fallen. Before October 23, 2020, the record for the city was registered on October 22, 1957, when the city got 5.9 inches of snow.
Last year, the city saw 3.3 inches of snow fall on October 8.
Due to the heavy snowfall, about 15,000 people across the Inland Northwest suffered due to power shortages caused by fallen trees. On social media, officials urged local drivers to beware of the difficult conditions. Unfortunately, not all listened.
Officials said that drivers who were going too fast for the conditions simply could not navigate the slippery and icy roads safely. As a result, Washington State Patrol troopers reported an increase in the number of traffic accidents in the Spokane region. Thankfully, officials told reporters, no deaths or serious injuries had been reported.
WSP Troopers: Stay Home To Avoid Accidents During Snowstorms
A spokesperson for Spokane County Sheriff’s Office told reporters that there were 35 collisions between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday. While officials weren’t exactly sure how much higher Friday’s numbers were in comparison to previous years, reports show that drivers aren’t always prepared to face tough driving conditions. To avoid accidents, they told reporters, drivers must know their limitations and, if possible, stay home.
In addition, they urged drivers who must hit the road during or after snowstorms to remember that slowing down is key and that trying to hurry will only lead to accidents.
“Give yourself a little extra time,” the WSP spokesperson told reporters. “That way, you’ll get there, instead of having a collision and ending up there late or injured.”
To help you stay safe while driving in the snow, officials want to remind you that even vehicles with four-wheel drive have a hard time slowing down in snowy conditions. Driving slowly and respecting traffic rules will help you prevent accidents.
