Lake effect snow causes slow morning commute, school closures in Kenosha and Racine counties

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Communities on the lakefront near the border were hit hard by lake effect snow overnight, with some areas recording 14 inches.

In Kenosha County, plows were out clearing roads all day, many starting as early as 2 a.m.

City and county plows start with major roads first, then work their way through residential streets.

"We're not 100% into full snow mode yet. We're still doing leaf collection," said Tom Hupp, director of public works for the Village of Pleasant Prairie. "We probably haven't had a foot of snow in several years, so just being the first snow and having it all at once, it came through kind of quick."

Pleasant Prairie Public Works had 40 plows out on the roadways during the day Monday. Hupp said they started getting the plows ready last week.

The high snow totals also took private plow companies by surprise.

"We had everything ready to do fall cleanups today and finish out the season, and we had to put the plows on last night. So, we don't even have all our equipment ready," said Alex Dibble, co-owner of Dibble's Outdoor Services.

For Kenosha Unified School District, the first snow also meant the first snow day of the year.

Pleasant Prairie’s sledding hill was busy throughout the day, with kids and adults alike sliding into the season with a smile.

"It just reminds me of like, back when we were like kids - the hot chocolate, sledding, bundling up, the snow pants, they have just pure excitement. The joy, the red cheeks,” said Carly Graham, whose son had his first-ever snow day on Monday. “It’s fun, it brings me back.”