Western and Northern Minnesota Hit Hard by Storm

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Authorities report hundreds of crashes in Minnesota as a snowstorm sweeps across the state.

The Minnesota State Patrol reports 340 crashes, including 37 with injuries, and more than 550 spinouts statewide since Thursday night. At least one person died on icy roads. The patrol says a 42-year-old man from Fulda died in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 59 early Friday.

Heavy, wet snow also was causing power outages. Officials of Crow Wing Power reported 4,000 customers lost power Friday. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the power cooperative, which serves counties in central and north-central Minnesota, pulled crews off the roads and shut its offices down.

Transportation officials recommended no travel in parts of southwestern Minnesota due to whiteout conditions and roads covered with blowing snow.

National Service reports show the heaviest snow fell in an area running from Park Rapids, through the Brainerd Lakes area, to Grand Rapids and into the BWCA and Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota, with snowfall totals ranging from around 13 inches near Park Rapids to about 2-feet near the resort town of Orr. 

Snow was also reported in parts of Nebraska and the Dakotas.