Power Outage in Madison, SD

Light freezing drizzle started prior to sunrise and continued through the morning. Ice accumulation on elevated surfaces reached upward of one 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.

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Storm-total snowfall reached 6 to 15 inches, with 12.5 inches at Madison. With winds gusting at times to 40 to 50 mph, snow drifts to several feet made many roads impassable. Ice accumulated to one-quarter to one-half inch, with numerous power lines brought down as wind increased. The city of Madison was without power from late April 10 into the morning of April 11. Property damage costs include damage utilities.

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. The winds included measured sustained winds of 42 mph and a peak gust of 61 mph at Madison.

Westerly winds behind a cold front reach sustained speed of 40 to 45 mph for a few hours. A gust to 63 mph was measured at Madison Airport. The high winds caused spotty power line and traffic light damage.

Freezing rain produced ice accumulations, including a quarter inch or more at Madison. The freezing rain was followed by 1 to 3 inches of snow, including 2.7 inches 2 miles north of Chester. Strong northwest winds produced some drifting snow and a few areas of blowing snow. Roads were made very icy, there was damage to power lines and resulting power outages, and school classes were cancelled.

Thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines, causing a power outage. At least one house in Madison suffered minor damage from tree debris.

Thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines, causing a power outage. At least one house in Madison suffered minor damage from tree debris.

Snow, beginning briefly as rain, fell from around noon on April 10th to midday on April 11th. The snow accumulated 4 to 8 inches and was accompanied by north winds averaging around 30 mph and gusting to 45 mph. This produced blizzard conditions for much of the time, with zero visibilities and drifting snow making travel impossible. Schools and numerous businesses were forced to close. Power outages were reported as some power lines were downed by the combination of wet snow and strong winds.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage. One tree fell into a power line and damaged a transformer, causing a power outage.

Thunderstorm winds caused mostly minor tree damage. The winds also damaged power lines in Chester, resulting in a power outage.

Thunderstorm winds damaged trees and power lines, resulting in a power outage.

Thunderstorm winds damaged businesses and blew down road signs, as well as power poles and lines. Numerous trees were damaged and uprooted. Most of the damage was localized over a few blocks.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage and brought down power lines in a rural area.

Lightning struck a power pole and damaged a transformer.