By Chris OrletRecord Managing EditorFor some motorists trapped in their vehicles on Interstate 70 through the early morning hours of March 2, the presence of local emergency responders was a godsend.According to Warren County emergency management officials, a series of ice storm-related, motor-vehicle accidents had long stretches of I-70 near Warrenton shut down almost continuously from 9 p.m. Saturday until about 8 a.m. Sunday.The worst of those accidents occurred around midnight near the 191-mile marker and involved several tractor-trailers on both the eastbound and westbound lanes, stranding some motorists for up to eight hours.During that time, some motorists ran out of gas, heat, and, needless to say, patience.Warrenton Emergency Management Director Mike Daniels said he got a call at 4 a.m. from a 911 dispatcher saying dozens of motorists were stranded in their vehicles on I-70 and were running out of fuel and needed to be taken to a warming shelter.Daniels worked with Warren County Commissioner Dan Hampson and Holy Rosary Catholic Church Pastor Fr. Patrick Driscoll to set up a warming station for stranded motorists at the Knights of Columbus Hall.As local emergency personnel from the sheriff’s department, the Warrenton Police Department, the Warrenton Fire Protection District, and the Warrenton Ambulance District worked the accidents, deputies and officers from the Missouri Highway Patrol checked on the welfare of stranded motorists.“They went car to car asking who wanted to go to a warming center,” said Daniels.Daniels and Warren County Sheriff Kevin Harrison arranged for sheriff’s department prisoner transport vans to pick up those stranded motorists who wanted to get warmed up and transport them to the Knights of Columbus Hall.A total of 15 stranded motorists used the warming shelter, Daniels said.“Fr. Driscoll made coffee and Mike (Daniels) bought eggs, sausage and hash browns and me and Arthur Brewer made breakfast,” said Hampson. Volunteers Kim Spenard, Don Rich, Lee Anne Brewer, all of whom are trained in disaster response, served breakfast.Officials also helped one Georgia family whose car was totalled in an accident. Warren County Ambulance Director Ralph Hellebusch worked to get the family a rental car and put them up in a Wentzville hotel.Finally, around 7:30 a.m. The lanes were cleared and the people were taken back to their vehicles. “Everyone did a great job,” said Warren County Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage. “We appreciate everyone’s good work.”Local officials give aid to stranded motorists