Power Outage in Plankinton, SD

Approximately one-half mile of power poles were snapped, with many laying across Old Highway 16 west of Plankinton. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Numerous powerlines were downed by falling trees throughout Plankinton.

Tree damage with power outages reported.

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 90 was closed from late on April 10 through noon on April 12. Ice accumulation of one-quarter to one-half inch occurred prior to snowfall. Storm-total snowfall from 10 to 15 inches occurred, with 15.0 inches 4 miles southwest of Stickney, 13.8 inches at Plankinton and 12.0 inches at White Lake. With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred. Property damage costs include damage to public infrastructure and 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 40 mph and a peak gust of 59 mph measured by South Dakota State University equipment at White Lake.

Westerly winds behind a cold front reach sustained speed of 40 to 45 mph for a few hours. A gust to 57 mph was measured near White Lake. The high winds caused spotty power line and traffic light damage.

Thunderstorm winds blew down up to 4 inch diameter trees and branches, and also blew down power lines.

Freezing rain produced ice accumulations, including a quarter inch of ice at White Lake. The freezing rain was followed by 2 to 5 inches of snow, including 4 inches at White Lake. Strong northwest winds produced drifting snow and some areas of blowing snow. Roads were made very icy before becoming snow covered, there was damage to power lines and resulting power outages, and school classes were cancelled.

Thunderstorm winds snapped a power pole.

An extended period of precipitation began with freezing rain and freezing drizzle producing light to moderate ice accumulations, then changing to sleet and then snow, with sleet and snow accumulations reaching 12 inches at White Lake. Several branches and power lines were downed by the weight of ice and accompanying wind. The winter precipitation made travel very difficult to impossible, resulting in schools and businesses being forced to close.

Snow accumulating 6 to 10 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. The 10 inch accumulation report was from White Lake.

Snow, beginning briefly as rain, fell from around noon on April 10th to midday on April 11th. The snow accumulated 5 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.

Freezing rain caused significant icing of roads, trees, and power lines, and was followed by 5 to 8 inches of snow. Travel was greatly slowed, and numerous vehicles slid off roads. Ice accumulation was up to a quarter inch at some places.