Blizzard Brings Travel to a Halt in Rochester and SE Minnesota
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The latest in a series of winter storms to pound the region has delivered over a foot of heavy snow to the Rochester area and has made travel impossible across much of southeastern Minnesota.
The latest travel conditions report from the Minnesota Department of Transportation says no travel is advised throughout the region with a blizzard warning in effect until 9 PM . The number of highways closed today has grown so long MnDOT is no longer listing them and is simply asking everyone to stay put while snow plow crews try to battle gusty winds that are producing whiteout conditions. The barricades are up on I-35 from Owatonna to the Iowa border and I-90 from Dexter to the west. Governor Tim Walz has declared a state of emergency for both Steele and Freeborn Counties until further notice.
Even in Rochester, some major roads are impassable and there have been numerous reports of vehicles stuck in deep snow. Rochester Public Transit has suspended operations for the day and is advising commuters the lingering effects of the storm could result in some delays on Monday.
The deepest snow from the storm fell across southeastern Minnesota with Rochester in the middle of it. As of late Sunday morning, the highest snowfall total locally has been 13.5 inches in northwest Rochester. There’s also a report of 13 inches in Kasson, 12.5 inches in Zumbro Falls and 12 inches of new snow in Chatfield, Lewiston, and near Lake City and Winona.