Power Outage in Springfield, SD

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 from 8 to 15 inches occurred, with 10.5 inches at Tyndall. With winds gusting at times over 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of one to two tenths of an inch occurred, resulting in spotty power outages as wind increased.

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.

Freezing rain and sleet produced a quarter to a half inch of glaze, topped by similar sleet accumulations. Travel and walking surfaces were made very icy, and the ice accumulations caused an unknown amount of damage to trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm winds caused an unknown amount of damage to trees and power lines.

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. The 8 inch accumulation report was from Tyndall.

Snow, beginning briefly as rain, fell from around noon on April 10th to midday on April 11th. The snow accumulated 4 to 8 inches except over the extreme southern part of the county where 2 inches or less fell. The snow 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 and snow caused heavy icing of roads, trees, and power lines, with 2 to 6 inches of snow. Travel was brought to a standstill in places and many vehicles slid off roads. Ice accumulation was between a quarter and a half inch. Numerous power lines and tree branches were brought down by the ice, resulting in power outages.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage. Several trees and large branches were blown down. Some of the falling trees and branches damages homes and vehicles, including the roof of one house and one pickup truck which were heavily damaged. The wind blew down numerous power poles and power lines, causing a power outage in most of Springfield which lasted several hours.