MADISON (WMSN) -- Governor Jim Doyle declared a State of Emergency for all of Wisconsin's 72 counties Tuesday as a storm of "historic proportions" barreled into Wisconsin. The area is expected to see more than a foot of snow by the time the snow comes to an end.



As of 9:00 p.m. Tuesday night, Rock County authorities were reporting a high number of slide-offs and disabled vehicles, so many that law enforcers and rescue workers predict it could be 24 to 48 hours before they respond to all of the calls.



Wisconsin's Emergency Operations Center is monitoring the weather and the roads.



It's a staff that covers the gamut -- the Wisconsin National Guard, National Weather Service, Wisconsin State Patrol, Department of Transportation, and Department of Natural Resources -- all working together.



The center's job -- communication -- getting resources where they need to go. For example, if the State Patrol needs a snowmobile, and the DNR has one, Emergency Ops makes it all happen.



"You have to be able to be flexible and go with the flow," said Jan Klawitter, spokesperson. "With weather especially, things change. You have to be able to respond."



The ops center opened at 8 a.m. Tuesday, and will operate until they decide the danger, and need is over.



"The ultimate goal is hopefully people stay safe," Klawitter said. "That's a big message we want to get out. It looks like a serious storm. If you don't have to travel, stay home."



http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/index.asp



Online reporting by Jeff Angileri

Winter storm of "historic proportions" hits Southern Wisconsin