Wisconsin Crews Brave Historic Blizzard to Transport Critical Patients

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During a historic blizzard in Wisconsin, highway crews from Shawano and Outagamie Counties worked together to clear a path for two critical patients who needed to be transported from the ThedaCare-Shawano Medical Center to facilities that could provide a higher level of care. Facing whiteout conditions and impassable highways, the crews led the ambulances from Shawano to the county line, where an Outagamie County plow truck took over to clear the way to the Fox Cities.

Why it matters

The coordinated effort between the two county highway departments highlights the crucial role that public works crews play during extreme weather events, putting themselves at risk to ensure that critical medical services can be accessed even in the most challenging conditions.

The details

With the ThedaCare-Shawano Medical Center unable to transfer out two critical patients due to the blizzard, Shawano and Outagamie County highway crews sprang into action. Shawano County plow trucks led the ambulances from the medical center to the county line in Bonduel, where an Outagamie County plow took over to clear the path all the way to the Fox Cities, allowing the patients to reach the higher-level care they required.

• On Monday morning, March 17, 2026, the two critical patients could no longer wait at the ThedaCare-Shawano Medical Center.
• Since late Sunday evening, March 16, 2026, all transfers out of the ThedaCare-Shawano Medical Center had been put on hold due to the whiteout conditions, blowing snow, and drifted highways.