Over 100 Wisconsinites are trapped in their buses by the storm that has struck the east coast. While on their way back from Washington DC for the March for Life anti-abortion rally the group was stranded for nearly a day thanks to the road conditions. But they managed to remain in good spirits, sharing photos and updates on social media while they passed the time. NBC26 was in touch with the group today as well as people here in Wisconsin praying for a safe return.
The snow in Pennsylvania is expected to reach as much as two feet by the night’s end. And along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where three buses from the Green Bay Catholic Diocese are, thousands of motorists are stranded as they wait to get towed out.
Not even leaving Washington DC on Friday afternoon, which was a day ahead of schedule, could help more than 150 high school kids from northeast Wisconsin avoid this storm.
"We're just hanging tight here and we're definitely surrounded by a lot of snow," says Maria Schuette the Director of Religious Education with the Diocese of green Bay.
Schuette shared with us via phone as she and her kids sit and wait to be towed out. She has been stuck on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the same spot with her kids since 10pm Friday evening in over a foot of snow.
"Of course because we couldn't go anywhere the snow just kept on building," adds Schuette.
Several car wrecks west of them plugged the interstate up as the snow piled down. Today in Howard Catholics congregated to say a prayer for them.
"It's been a long ordeal for all the people caught in the storm especially in Pennsylvania where our group is. I understand there is about three thousand vehicles there that are backed up in the traffic," says Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay.
And with the news coming in that this blizzard has already contributed to over ten traffic deaths and has impacted more than 85 million people out east, it's actually good to hear that these kids are making the most of a bad situation.
"We invited a lot of people who are in their cars who are running out of fuel and were very cold into our bus. So we're actually making a few friends and scrapping off a bunch of cars and helping deliver water and things," says Schuette.
"They're living out life values and no matter what age are helping those around them," adds Bishop Ricken.
Back here in northeast Wisconsin the American Red Cross says they are on standby prepared to send relief out east, once the travel advisory has been lifted.
