Route 14 near Harvard, Route 173 near Richmond and Route 23 near Marengo were all left snow-covered and impassable with semi-trucks and cars becoming stuck due to blowing snow Monday.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said around 6 a.m. Monday that winter road conditions had made travel hazardous throughout McHenry County.
“Please only travel if necessary, allow extra time to travel, and use caution on the roads. Stay safe!” the sheriff’s office said.
Sheriff’s officials said in an update around 10:50 a.m. that Route 14 between the Harvard city limit and the Illinois-Wisconsin state line was impassable.
There were multiple semi-trucks and other cars stuck in the roadway.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area until the roadway could be cleared and the vehicles could be removed.
“Please continue to travel with caution as the wind is causing roadways to remain snow covered, even as the snow begins to end this morning and into the afternoon,” the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office said they would announce when the roadway was reopened but as of 3:30 p.m., it appeared to remain closed.
Officials also warned of a road closure on Route 173 between Greenwood Road and the railroad tracks near Richmond due to the treacherous conditions.
Semi-trucks and cars were both stuck in the snow and tow trucks were called to remove them.
Route 23 north of Poplar Road in unincorporated Marengo was also shut down Monday afternoon after reports of at least three semi trucks and a “bunch” of cars stuck in the road.
A report of a 10-vehicle crash also prompted an emergency response around 2:45 p.m. at the same location.
Sheriff’s officials said Route 14 between Hebron Road and Oak Grove Road in unincorporated Harvard was also closed until further notice.
A McHenry County sheriff’s deputy reported approximately two feet of snow covering a roadway in the county at one point Monday afternoon.
A blizzard warning was in effect for McHenry County until 1 p.m. and a winter weather advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. Monday.