Power Outage in Wagner, SD

A fire started behind a business just north of Pickstown along U.S. Highway 18, and spread northward due to a southerly wind which gusted to 30 to 35 mph. The fire spread quickly into tree-covered hillsides which forced the evacuation of several residences, a campground, and a swimming beach. The swimming beach was put on lockdown after an initial group was evacuated as the fire threatened the safety of 83 additional evacuees. The fire caused sparking along powerlines which started another 50-acre fire about three miles from the earlier ignition point. The fire caused a power, water, and cellular service outage for the Pickstown area for up to three hours.

Numerous power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds in Wagner. Property damage costs are a rough estimate.

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 10 to 18 inches occurred, with 17.0 inches at Wagner, 13.0 inches at Platte and 12.0 inches 2 miles northeast of Academy. With winds gusting at times to around 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 several reports of power lines and branches down and resulting power outages. The winds included measured sustained winds of 40 mph and a peak gust of 62 mph at Lake Andes.

Westerly winds behind a cold front reach sustained speed of 40 to 50 mph for several hours. A gust to 69 mph was measured near Geddes. The high winds caused spotty power line and traffic light damage.

Freezing rain produced ice accumulations, estimated at a couple tenths of an inch or more. The freezing rain was followed by 3 to 7 inches of snow, including 7.2 inches at Pickstown. Strong northwest winds produced drifting snow and 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.

Snowfall of 4 to 8 inches, including 7 inches at Platte, severely limited travel and commerce over the northwest part of the county, with some roads becoming blocked. Winds averaging 20 to 30 mph contributed to the problems by causing drifting snow and areas of reduced visibilities in blowing snow. The snow was preceded by freezing rain and sleet, causing icing of travel surfaces. In the southeast part of the county, the precipitation was mainly freezing rain and sleet, with considerable icing of driving and walking surfaces, and some ice accumulation on trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm winds blew down power poles and lines.

Snow accumulating 6 to 9 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 9 inch accumulation report was from 13 miles west northwest of Platte.

Snow, beginning briefly as rain, fell from around noon on April 10th to midday on April 11th. The snow accumulated 3 to 9 inches, with the 9 inch report at Lake Andes, and the lower accumulations in the extreme southeast part of the county. 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.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree and power line damage, with resulting power outages. Up to 8 inch diameter tree limbs were blown down.

Freezing rain was followed by 4 to 8 inches of snow. The freezing rain caused significant icing of roads, with travel greatly slowed, and several vehicles sliding into ditches. Tree branches and power lines were reported down in the southeast part of Chales Mix County, where the heaviest icing of up to a quarter inch was reported.

Freezing rain caused significant icing of a quarter to a half inch, which caused branches and power lines to break in several places. The freezing rain was followed by 2 to 5 inches of snow, with the 5 inch report west northwest of the town of Platte. Travel was greatly slowed and was brought to a standstill in places. Several vehicles slid off roads. Classes for December 21st were cancelled at several schools.

Thunderstorm winds caused minor damage to several homes and other structures. The winds also caused tree and power line damage, with 8 inch diameter limbs broken off, and a power outage. The amount of damage was not known.

Thunderstorm winds, including a heat burst, blew off a door and part of the roof of an airport hangar, bent a flagpole, blew down trees and power poles, and blew two farm wagons across a highway. The temperature rose over 20 degrees in a few minutes, briefly reaching 99 degrees.

A thunderstorm produced strong winds which damaged trees, power lines, and a vehicle in Lake Andes during the predawn hours of August 10th.