1982: Winds of 20 to 40 mph accompanied by 1 to 3 inches of snow create ground blizzard conditions and extreme wind chills from the 9th through mid afternoon on the 12th. There were two deaths from exposure that were attributed to the storm including a 69-year old Scotland woman and Veblen (Marshall County) woman. Both tried to walk after their vehicles stalled. Near zero visibilities and snow drifts to 5 feet high forced closures of numerous highways. Also, minor power outages were reported.

1997: A powerful Alberta Clipper and a deep Arctic High brought widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions, heavy drifting snow, and dangerous wind chills of 40 to 80 below to central and northeast South Dakota as well as west central Minnesota. North winds were from 30 to 50 mph gusting to 60 mph. The clipper dropped from 2 to 7 inches of snowfall on top of an already solid 2 to 5 foot snowpack. As with previous storms, most roads again became blocked by huge snowdrifts. As a result of the blockage and the blizzard conditions, both Interstates 29 and 90 were closed along with all state highways leaving hundreds of people stranded to wait out the storm. This winter has been the worst for road closings. Many people became stuck in snow drifts or went off the road because of low visibilities, and had to be rescued. One dramatic rescue near Webster, involving tens of rescue workers, occurred after a woman was stranded in her vehicle for nearly 40 hours. A couple with a one year old child were rescued after spending a night in their car and they were unharmed. A Wakpala women died from carbon monoxide poisoning in her stalled pickup on Highway 1806 near Wakpala. Emergency personnel had a very difficult time responding to emergencies. Some emergencies took up to several hours to go short distances. A rural Leola man died, when emergency workers could not get to him in time. In Mclaughlin, seven people had to be taken by air ambulance, because there was no way out.
• All area schools were closed the 9th and 10th with most schools at this point in the winter season missing over 7 days. A state record was set when Faulkton School had closed for its 13th day. Mail was delayed and area airports had flight delays or were closed. Many businesses were also closed and were suffering economic losses as a result of this storm and previous storms because customers could not get to them. Many grocery stores ran low or out of bread, milk, and other food necessities. There were some power outages across the area, but were not widespread. The power was out at Isabel, Timber Lake, and Firesteel, for as much as 8

(Continued on page 14)