Update: 8 people rescued after drifting snow left cars stranded in rural Benton County

Eight people were rescued after their cars became stranded in drifts amidst blowing snow in the Horse Heaven Hills area of Benton County late Wednesday night and early Thanksgiving.

Snow drifted several feet deep in rural Benton County, even though the Tri-Cities saw mostly flurries overnight. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office reported near-blizzard conditions.

Deputies and Fire District 5 first responders rescued the stranded motorists at snow drifts in the area of Sellards and Travis roads south of Benton City.

Deputies used the sheriff office’s utility terrain vehicle equipped with tracks to get through the drifts.

They also searched for a woman who had walked away from her car after getting stuck.

County road crews were clearing roads on Thanksgiving morning so tow trucks could reach six cars stuck in the drifts.

Several roads were closed in the Horse Heaven Hills, including Webber Canyon, Plymouth and Sellards roads, and roads were slippery in the Reata and Badger Canyon areas, according to the sheriff’s office.

This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 10:31 AM with the headline "Update: 8 people rescued after drifting snow left cars stranded in rural Benton County."