Power Outage in Harrisburg, SD

Light freezing drizzle started prior to sunrise and continued through the morning. Ice accumulation on elevated surfaces reached upward of two tenths of an inch, with lesser ice also accumulating on roads and bridges which produced dangerous conditions for several hours. Brief power outages occurred during the early morning hours.

Ice accumulation and near blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the extremely hazardous conditions. A period of freezing rain, sleet and snow resulted in ice accumulations starting the afternoon of April 10 through early April 11 of one-quarter to one-half inch. As winds increased and gusted as high as 59 mph at Sioux Falls, scattered power outages resulted as power transmission lines were downed. Up to 10,000 customers around Sioux Falls were without power at times between the evening of April 10 and April 12, as well as the communities of Harrisburg, Lennox, Tea, Canton, Fairview, Beresford and Worthing. Property damage costs include damage to utilities. ||Storm-total snowfall from 1 to 6 inches occurred, with 5.5 inches at Canton and southern Sioux Falls.

Freezing rain of up to one tenth of an inch caused icy roads, and accumulated lightly on trees, power lines, and other surfaces. Canton reported 0.06 inch of rain during a time when temperatures were at or below freezing. Law enforcement agencies reported a few vehicles accidents on the ice, but no known injuries, with traffic being light because of the holiday, business closings, and activity cancellations. Light winds prevented damage to trees and power lines.

High winds from a westerly direction followed a low pressure system which had brought Christmas Day rain and thunderstorms. There were several reports of power lines and branches down and resulting power outages, as well as damaged traffic lights and signs. Roof damage to a building was reported at Lennox. The winds included a peak gust of 67 mph measured at Canton Airport.

Westerly winds behind a cold front reach sustained speed of 40 to 45 mph for a few hours. The high winds caused spotty power line and traffic light damage.

An extended period of precipitation began with freezing rain quickly producing heavy ice accumulations, especially in the northern part of the county, with more than a half inch in southern Sioux Falls. The precipitation then changed to sleet and then snow, with sleet and snow accumulations reaching 9 inches in southern Sioux Falls. Many branches, limbs, whole trees, and power lines were downed by the weight of ice and accompanying wind. Both urban areas and rural electric cooperatives suffered major power line damage. Trees and tree debris blocked many roads, and damaged several vehicles and homes. Major power outages were reported, affecting thousands of people. The winter precipitation made travel impossible in many areas, resulting in schools and businesses being forced to close.

Thunderstorm winds caused significant shingle and other roof damage to homes, blew down power lines, and caused widespread tree damage, including several large trees blown down. Damage was caused to several homes by falling trees and tree debris. The winds also pushed a heavy parked camper off its supports.

Thunderstorm winds caused significant shingle and other roof damage to homes, blew down power lines, and caused widespread tree damage, including several large trees blown down. Damage was caused to several homes by falling trees and tree debris. The winds also pushed a heavy parked camper off its supports.

Snow accumulating 5 to 8 inches was accompanied by north to northeast winds gusting to around 40 mph. The combination resulted in visibilities frequently lowering to a quarter mile or less and, along with drifting snow, made travel difficult to impossible. Power outages were reported from snow weighting down power lines, and snow laden trees falling on lines.