Vehicles stuck in snowy areas

Talk about it

MINOT (AP) — Crews were trying to clear streets and highways in north central North Dakota after some areas reported nearly a foot of snow in North Dakota’s latest winter blast.

“The Minot Police Department received numerous reports of vehicles currently being stuck or trapped in snowy areas, even on some of the main streets,” Police Sgt. Chad Eagleson said early Friday.

Part of U.S. Highway 83 was blocked by vehicles as well, he said. Schools in Minot were closed.

The National Weather Service reported more than 7 inches of snow in Stanley, 6 inches in Harvey and about 3.5 inches in Bismarck.

On Thursday night, state officials advised no travel in southwestern North Dakota, including Interstate 94 west from Richardton to the Montana border, due to freezing rain and snow. On Friday, the winds picked up.

“By afternoon, the snow will end but the wind is going to be a problem, especially in the west-southwest. We’ve had reports of near zero visibility driving in Slope County. We had gusts to 41 mph in Hettinger,” said Len Peterson, at the National Weather Service in Bismarck.

Authorities also advised no travel in Burke, Divide, McHenry and Renville counties.

The winds are expected to die down Saturday, Peterson said. The state might even see sunshine and highs above zero, he said.

“It’ll give everyone a good chance to clean their driveways,” he said.

Tags: snow, ice, highway, 83, renville, mchenry