Power Outage in Salem, SD

Thunderstorm winds took down powerlines with the mayor reporting power out throughout Salem.

Light freezing drizzle started prior to sunrise and continued through the morning, and produced up to a tenth of an inch ice accumulation. Spotty ice covered roadways 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. Interstate 90 was closed from late on April 10 through noon on April 12. Storm-total snowfall from 7 to 14 inches occurred, with 14.0 inches at Bridgewater, the highest 3-day April snowfall on record. Winds gusted at times from 50 to 60 mph, and many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of one-quarter to one-half inch occurred prior to snowfall, and numerous power outages occurred as wind increased. Power was lost for the communities of Bridgewater, Canistota, Montrose and Salem, as well as surrounding areas, with some customers without power for more than two days. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.

High winds from a westerly direction followed a low pressure system which had brought Christmas Day rain and thunderstorms. There were reports of power lines and branches down with resulting power outages, and traffic lights damaged. Sustained winds over 40 mph and gusts over 55 mph were estimated by law enforcement.

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 moderate to heavy ice accumulations, ranging up to more than a quarter of an inch. The precipitation then changed to sleet and then snow, with sleet and snow accumulations reaching the 5 to 8 inch range. Numerous branches and power lines were downed by the weight of ice and accompanying wind, with much of the power line damage affecting rural electric cooperatives. Trees and tree debris blocked roads, and damaged some vehicles and homes. Several power outages were reported. The winter precipitation made travel impossible in many areas, resulting in schools and businesses being forced to close.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage and blew down power lines in Salem, causing a power outage in Salem. The winds also caused heavy damage at two farmsteads east northeast of Salem. In addition to tree damage, at least four silos, three grain bins and four machine sheds were destroyed, and four augers, a grain cart, and a grain dryer were damaged. Two surviving trees stopped one destroyed grain bin from slamming into the house on one farmstead, while the house on another farmstead suffered minor damage from debris, including a piece of lumber from one machine shed blown into the roof.

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.

Snow, beginning briefly as rain, fell from around noon on April 10th to midday on April 11th. The snow accumulated 4 to 6 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 and power line damage, resulting in a power outage that lasted a little less than 2 hours.

Thunderstorm winds blew the press box off the grandstand at an athletic complex, damaged a crow's nest at the complex, and tore the roof off a mobile home. The winds also caused extensive tree damage with several trees blown down. The winds caused power line damage, resulting in a power outage. Crops in the area were damaged, especially corn, but the amount of damage was not known. Several vehicles were damaged by flying debris and windows on some buildings were broken.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree and power line damage. Many trees were blown down, and power lines were down throughout the city with resulting power outages. Minor damage to structures, such as shingles blown off, was also reported.