Governor Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard on Sunday afternoon as a powerful winter storm brought heavy snowfall, strong winds and dangerous travel conditions across Minnesota during the peak holiday travel period.
The peacetime emergency declaration came in response to a request from the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office for assistance with personnel, equipment and resources necessary to respond to severe weather and rescue stranded motorists.
“During a time of peak holiday travel, the winter weather moving across the state poses a major risk for anyone on the roads,” Walz said in a statement. “As we work to alleviate the dangerous conditions, I’m grateful to the National Guard for stepping up to help drivers get home safely.”
The storm system dumped 6 to 10 inches of snow across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with wind gusts reaching 45 mph in some areas, according to the National Weather Service. Blizzard conditions developed across southern and western portions of the state, with visibility reduced to near zero in many locations due to falling and blowing snow.
“We’re looking at maybe an inch per hour rate for the next few hours, but the snow is going to continue through at least the evening,” said Bill Borghoff, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen on Sunday afternoon.
The hazardous conditions led to widespread travel disruptions. Interstate 35 closed from Highway 14 south of Owatonna to Clarks Grove due to at least five crashes. The closure extended into northern Iowa in a coordinated effort between Iowa and Minnesota transportation departments. The Minnesota Department of Transportation issued no-travel advisories for all state highways and I-90 in south central Minnesota.
As of early Sunday afternoon, the Minnesota State Patrol reported 179 property damage crashes, 163 vehicles off the road, 12 injury crashes, five spinouts and seven jackknifed semis between midnight and 1:30 p.m.
Several metro cities, including Minneapolis and St. Louis Park, declared snow emergencies. Minneapolis officials announced parking restrictions beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday to allow plows to clear streets.
Power outages affected nearly 2,500 customers in the Twin Cities area according to Xcel Energy’s outage map. Flight delays and cancellations impacted Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
The Minnesota Historical Society closed several Twin Cities locations to visitors at 1 p.m. Sunday, including the Minnesota History Center and Mill City Museum, though the James J. Hill House remained open.
Despite the dangerous conditions, some embraced the storm. Miles Kurilla, who works at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington, said the facility saw larger-than-usual crowds. “There’s a lot of people here today. I think a lot of people are coming out for the powder. There hasn’t been a big snow day like this in a while,” Kurilla said.
The National Weather Service warned that travel could be “very difficult” with widespread blowing snow significantly reducing visibility. Forecasters advised postponing travel until conditions improved late Sunday night or Monday morning.
The executive order authorizing National Guard deployment is effective immediately and remains in effect until emergency conditions caused by the winter storm subside or until March 9, 2025.
By Monday morning, no-travel advisories remained in place across most of southern Minnesota as crews worked to clear highways and city streets. An emergency shelter was set up overnight at the National Guard armory in Albert Lea for stranded motorists.
