SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Bitterly cold temperatures, strong winds and blizzard warnings continue to linger in KELOLAND Friday morning.
On Friday afternoon, the South Dakota Department of Transportation has reopened Interstate 90, both eastbound and westbound, from Rapid City to Murdo.
I-90 from Murdo to Mitchell, eastbound and westbound, will be reopening at 4 p.m. Friday.
From Mitchell to Sioux Falls will remain closed overnight due to ongoing blizzard conditions, SDDOT officials say. The department said they plan on reopening this section of I-90 on Saturday morning.
I-90 from the South Dakota/Minnesota border to Albert Lea, Minnesota has been closed again.
Interstate 29 is open from Sioux Falls to the North Dakota border.
No travel is advised on Marion Road from Maple to 60th street, according to the Sioux Falls Police Department Friday afternoon.
The department posted a video, found in the player below, of the white-out conditions on the road on Twitter.
The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office is asking people not to travel this morning as highways remain ‘impassable.’
“Plows will not resume until later this morning, if they are able to do so at all. Conditions remain life threatening. If you get stranded you will need to literally be rescued. If you are stranded, stay with your vehicle and prepare to be there for a long period of time,” the sheriff’s office tweeted early Friday morning.
No travel is advised in Lincoln County as well.
The Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook Friday afternoon that they are pulling most of their plows from the road but there will be a few v-plows and blowers out to help with drifting. Plows will resume Saturday at 4 a.m.
“If you are an essential worker, Cliff Ave seems to be the only road open at this time,” the post read.
Within Sioux Falls city limits, Sioux Falls police say the roads are still covered in snow and patches of ice.
“If you must travel in town during this historic event, please use caution and leave plenty of room to stop,” a Facebook post from SFPD read.
The Hughes County Sheriff’s Office said that 12 motorists were rescued east of Pierre overnight. There were 7 vehicles stuck in drifts blocking Highway 34 as of 7 a.m.
“Remember, in extreme cold fuel can gel and other issues cause a vehicle to stall. Have a winter survival kit that includes plenty of food, water, and warm clothing. Your vehicle may freeze up and help may not be able to reach you,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook.
South Dakota 511 shows many roads either closed or impassable.
Watching out for frostbite
With temperatures well below zero and windchill making it feel even colder, it’s important to keep in mind the signs of frostbite.
- Thursday, windchills in KELOLAND could cause frostbite within 10 minutes of being outside.
- Doctors say tingling and pain can be the first sign of frostbite.
- Seek medical attention if your skin begins to change colors or blisters.
You can read more on frostbite here.
Winter Storm Emergency
Thursday night, Governor Kristi Noem declared a winter storm emergency and activated the South Dakota National Guard.
The National Guard will assist in bringing firewood to South Dakota tribes who have been in dire need of help for the last two weeks.
Thursday, 67 families on the Rosebud Reservation were without propane and senior general manager of Sicangu, Travis Eagle Deer, said that number is likely to grow.
The Rosebud coroner confirmed that one person has died due to the cold. There have been nine calls of reported deaths this week.
Earlier this week, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe reported having 10-to-20 foot snow drifts.
Thursday, Feeding South Dakota delivered much-needed emergency supplies to the tribe.
Roads in and around Kyle and Allen are covered in snow, according to the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. They’re asking residents to stay home so that the plows can work on clearing roads.
On the Pine Ridge reservation, shelters have been opened in Wanblee, Oglala Service, Wanblee CAP and Wounded Knee CAP.
Food distribution is also available at the following locations:
- Pass Creek District Service Center
- Medicine Root District Service Center
- LaCreek District Service Center
- Porcupine District Service Center
- Wounded Knee District Service Center
- Wakpamni District Service Center
- White Clay District Service Center
- Pine Ridge District Service Center
- Eagle Nest District Service Center
The Cheynne River Sioux Tribe also has emergency shelters in Eagle Butte, Green Grass, White Horse, Cherry Creek, Dupree, Bear Creek, LaPlant, and Takini & Bridger.
In western South Dakota, hundreds of travelers are stranded in Pennington County.
With so many people looking for lodging, a church in New Underwood has been accepting travelers to stay in the church.
