MOTHER NATURE

Ice Storms, Snow Cause Chaos in Dakotas

Highways closed, residents advised not to travel.

Residents of North Dakota were advised to stay home on Sunday after freezing rain and snow wreaked havoc on the roads, and high winds knocked out power for thousands of residents in South Dakota. Nebraska and western Iowa were also affected by the extreme weather conditions, with high winds causing widespread power outages. The North Dakota Transportation Department closed most of Interstate 94 on Sunday night, as well as parts of other highways, over “near zero visibility” caused by snow and ice. The National Weather Service advised residents to simply “stay put” and give up on any attempts to travel until at least late Monday afternoon. Roadways in Bismarck were blocked by stranded vehicles after motorists simply gave up. Authorities in South Dakota also shut down roadways and issued a no travel advisory over the freakish weather conditions. In central Minnesota, residents were advised to bring a flashlight, food and water if they absolutely “must travel” in such conditions.