Highway 24 and Highway 94 closed in eastern El Paso County
Posted: 02.26.2013 at 7:13 PM
 / "FOX21: File Photo"
Photo

EL PASO COUNTY, COLO. -- The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has closed Highway 24 from Colorado Springs to Limon because of dangerous road conditions.

Highway 94 is also closed in both directions from Yoder to Edison because of blowing snow and poor visibility.

Dozens of students in the Miami-Yoder school district were forced to stay at the high school over night because of the blizzard-like conditions.

Lt. Jeff Kramer with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said the kids are safe and are being taken care of by teachers and staff.

Lt. Kramer also said, El Paso County Search and Rescue has been responding to drivers stuck on roads in eastern El Paso County.

Currently, the county has two snow cats out on the roads to help those folks.

They're trying to get to everyone as soon as possible.

There are also multiple highway closures on the eastern plains and northern Colorado due to blowing snow and poor visibility.

While there is very little snow falling, the winds are around 40 MPH, but the visibility is extremely poor.

CDOT crews continue to plow while the highways are closed, but when the highways reopen, motorists can expect icy and snow packed conditions.

The following closures are in place:

I-25 between Wellington and the Wyoming state line

US 287 between Fort Collins and the Wyoming state line

I-70 between Aurora and Kansas

Eastbound US 24 between Colorado Springs and Limon

US 40 between Limon and Kit Carson

US 287 between Eads and Kit Carson

SH 14 between Ault and Sterling

SH 71 between Limon and Last Chance

SH 86 between Kiowa and I-70

SH 94 between the El Paso County line and Punkin Center

Before traveling to the eastern plains, motorists are strongly encouraged to call 511 or visit www.cotrip.org for current road condition information.