MARQUETTE, MI— Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt is telling people to stay off the roads during this historic, two-day blizzard covering the Upper Peninsula.
The Sheriff's Office held an online press conference Monday. Zyburt spoke from the Marquette County Emergency Operations Center in Negaunee Township, which has been active since 7 a.m. Sunday.
He said the Marquette County Road Commission has been working around the clock to maintain primary roadways. M-28 between Kawbawgam Road and M-94 is closed, and most side roads are unpassable.
Zyburt said no one should be driving right now, as stuck vehicles are slowing snow removal and power restoration efforts, and tow companies may not be available to pull stuck vehicles from the roadways.
Blizzard conditions are forecasted to last throughout the day. Officials anticipate seeing conditions improve early Tuesday morning.
Currently, Marquette County has more than 2,400 customers without electricity. Power restoration efforts are challenging, and the number of outages may increase throughout the day.
Zyburt said emergency shelters and warming centers are on standby. Tuesday morning is the earliest those shelters can safely open because of current hazardous travel conditions.
Marquette County’s sheriff stresses residents SHOULD NOT travel right now. Contact 911 for emergencies and 211 for resources. Please remember to check on your elderly neighbors and those with special needs, and keep all vents to gas-burning appliances clear of snow.
