COTTERVILLE, Kansas (CNM) -- Wind gusts of up to 60 mph and a foot of blowing snow forced authorities to close a 140-mile stretch of interstate Saturday, sending motorists into shelters at churches, schools and a bowling alley.
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| Blowing snow near Cotterville |
Among the stranded was a tractor-trailer carrying 18,000 talking plush toys bound for stores in Denver. Highway patrol officers said the driver spent the night in the cab "with a lot of company that would not stop talking."
The Red Cross opened eight shelters. At the Cotterville Lanes bowling alley, some 70 travelers passed the night with free pizza and a tournament that lasted until 3 a.m.
Roads are expected to reopen Sunday afternoon, though forecasters warned of dangerous wind chills as low as 25 below zero.
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