Tow truck drivers slammed with stranded drivers amid snowstorm

The snow storm caused problems for drivers throughout the Midwest, especially west of Omaha. Drivers were stranded for hours after a foot of snow fell in Schuyler.Here in the metro, tow truck drivers responded to dozens of calls for help in slick and snowy conditions. They’re calling for people to be calm on the roads tonight.Tow truck drivers said their phones have been ringing nonstop since the snow started falling Monday. Between slush and the below-freezing temperatures, drivers are running into issues."A couple of cars of already, and the phones ringing, and you're already behind,” said Thomas Hurst, owner of Triple T’s Towing.The three-man crew at Triple T's Towing has been working nonstop since the snow started falling. "It's been crazy. Slippery. I mean, cold for sure,” Hurst said.They estimate they've helped at least 50 drivers who tried to brave the elements."We've had some cars off the road, mainly on the side streets. A few jumpstarts here and there, a couple of flat tires," Hurst said.Several of those slide-offs happened along interstates and highways, something Hurst is hesitant to respond to until the storms pass."We don't like to do too much on the side of the interstate with the weather this bad because we don't need more cars sliding off at us,” Hurst said.“I don't think it's worth that risk for me and my guys.”Then there are situations like the one along Highway 30 near Schuyler: cars stuck and stranded in a foot of snow.“It’s completely ice packed, and there’s cars in the ditch everywhere,” said Andy Johnson, a driver.Drivers there hopped on four-wheelers to get out of their homes while they wait for plows to get to their roads. They encourage people to only go out if it's necessary.“Unless you’re an experienced driver in the snow, don’t even go out. Don’t even mess around because there’s no sense in it. Because it’s just not right,” Johnson said.Back in Omaha, as those temperatures drop, tow truck drivers expect more issues.“These roads are going to be freezing,” Hurst said.They'll take a break to sleep but will be right back at it to answer the phone when someone calls for help."I’ll run it till it stops or, you know, till I can't go (anymore), I guess,” Hurst said.All they ask in return: “Move over, slow down,” Hurst said.There have already been several calls for iced-over bridges; side streets are slick, too. NDOT said its crews will work through the night to clean the roads, and the Omaha plow tracker is live too.Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

OMAHA, Neb. —

The snow storm caused problems for drivers throughout the Midwest, especially west of Omaha.

Drivers were stranded for hours after a foot of snow fell in Schuyler.

Here in the metro, tow truck drivers responded to dozens of calls for help in slick and snowy conditions.

They’re calling for people to be calm on the roads tonight.

Tow truck drivers said their phones have been ringing nonstop since the snow started falling Monday.

Between slush and the below-freezing temperatures, drivers are running into issues.

"A couple of cars of already, and the phones ringing, and you're already behind,” said Thomas Hurst, owner of Triple T’s Towing.

The three-man crew at Triple T's Towing has been working nonstop since the snow started falling.

"It's been crazy. Slippery. I mean, cold for sure,” Hurst said.

They estimate they've helped at least 50 drivers who tried to brave the elements.

"We've had some cars off the road, mainly on the side streets. A few jumpstarts here and there, a couple of flat tires," Hurst said.

Several of those slide-offs happened along interstates and highways, something Hurst is hesitant to respond to until the storms pass.

"We don't like to do too much on the side of the interstate with the weather this bad because we don't need more cars sliding off at us,” Hurst said.

“I don't think it's worth that risk for me and my guys.”

Then there are situations like the one along Highway 30 near Schuyler: cars stuck and stranded in a foot of snow.

“It’s completely ice packed, and there’s cars in the ditch everywhere,” said Andy Johnson, a driver.

Drivers there hopped on four-wheelers to get out of their homes while they wait for plows to get to their roads.

They encourage people to only go out if it's necessary.

“Unless you’re an experienced driver in the snow, don’t even go out. Don’t even mess around because there’s no sense in it. Because it’s just not right,” Johnson said.

Back in Omaha, as those temperatures drop, tow truck drivers expect more issues.

“These roads are going to be freezing,” Hurst said.

They'll take a break to sleep but will be right back at it to answer the phone when someone calls for help.

"I’ll run it till it stops or, you know, till I can't go (anymore), I guess,” Hurst said.

All they ask in return: “Move over, slow down,” Hurst said.

There have already been several calls for iced-over bridges; side streets are slick, too.

NDOT said its crews will work through the night to clean the roads, and the Omaha plow tracker is live too.

Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

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