The snow is no longer falling, but high winds have created snow drifts in southern Minnesota that are so high and thick that travel is at a standstill.
People who've tried to get out on the road have become stuck, and are still being rescued by Minnesota National Guards personnel, who were activated over the weekend by Gov. Walz when state emergencies were declared in two counties.
Good news! The Blizzard Warnings have expired. However, many roads are still closed and impassible due to severe drifting. If you travel and get stuck tonight, your LIFE IS AT RISK with temperatures falling below zero. pic.twitter.com/7glV91CArn
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities)
February 25, 2019 National Guard armories in Steele and Freeborn counties remain open, while a church in Owatonna is also taking in stranded travelers.
"We've got 75 people rescued, 65 people we have checked in, currently 41 people in-house," said Zachary Krenz at the armory in Albert Lea. "We will be open until the last person is ready to walk out the door."
There are some small towns in southern Minnesota where the high winds have created snow drifts up to eight feet tall.
Both Interstate 35 and Interstate 90 are closed from Northfield south to the Iowa border, and Fulda east to the Wisconsin border.
MinDOT crews are being careful with their work with so many vehicles buried beneath the snow after they were abandoned.
In Wisconsin, a large pile-up in Winnebago County involving 100 vehicles left one person dead and several injured.
In North Dakota, Interstate 29 is closed from Grand Forks to the Canadian border because of white-out conditions and icy pavements.
The National Weather Service in Chanhassen says blizzard warnings that were in effect most of the weekend in Minnesota are now cancelled.
In the Twin Cities, snow emergencies are in effect.
Day 1 Snow Emergency parking rules are now in effect until 8 a.m.. Monday, Feb. 25. Do not park on EITHER side of a Snow Emergency Route. more: https://t.co/7MwGDUazui pic.twitter.com/ObW3j3aA69
— Mpls Snow Emergency (@MinneapolisSnow)
February 25, 2019 SNOW EMERGENCY BEGINS AT 9 P.M. Please move all vehicles off streets marked "Night Plow Routes."If you use @cityofsaintpaul free Winter Parking app, click on the "Night Routes" map to see parking restrictions in your area. Info at https://t.co/gE8YTNdSH7 @stpaulpublicw pic.twitter.com/525Py6AMGy
— City of Saint Paul (@cityofsaintpaul)
February 24, 2019 In Minneapolis, Public Works Transportation director Mike Kennedy said when the emergency ends on Wednesday, Winter Parking restrictions go into effect and remain in place for likely the entire month of March.
