Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 3 to 5, 1997

A powerful area of low pressure and a deep Arctic High brought all winter elements to Big Stone and Traverse counties. The Winter storm first began with widespread freezing rain, where significant accmumlations of ice occurred on roads, trees, and power lines. Late in the evening of the 3rd, the freezing rain changed to sleet and then snow, with substantial snowfall accumulations of 15 to 27 inches by storm's end. As the Arctic High pushed in on the morning of the 4th, northwest winds increased to 25 to 45 mph gusting to 55 mph, creating blizzard conditions, drifts up to 15 feet, and wind chills of 40 to 80 below. The heavy accumulation of ice and snow resulted in the roof collapse of over fifty, mainly rural, buildings. The roofs collapsed onto farm machinery and onto livestock, damaging the machinery and injuring or killing the livestock. Due to possible damage or collapse, the snow was shoveled off most other buildings across the counties. One man was killed when he fell through a skylight while shoveling his roof and another man was injured when he was electrocuted clearing his roof. Also, due to the heavy ice accumulation, some power outages occurred across Big Stone and Traverse counties. For some people in the area, the power was out for as much as 8 hours. Emergencies were difficult to respond to, taking up to several hours to go short distances. Throughout the area, many businesses and grocery stores were closed. Most roads were blocked, closed, or had one-lane traffic with snow plows called back in. Many vehicles went into the ditch and there were some accidents, with mainly minor injuries. Some people had to be rescued. The National Guard helped to clear roads of the huge snowdrifts. This storm was described by some as the worst ever winter storm here. Some snowfall amounts include, 15 inches at Ortonville, 16 inches at Browns Valley, and 27 inches at Wheaton.