Ice storm wreaking havoc on western Minn.

A major spring snowstorm continues to move eastward and has already left widespread power outages, downed trees and powerlines and car accidents in its wake in western Minnesota.

Before noon, Minnesota state troopers reported 30 vehicles off the road, 12 property damage crashes and two crashes with injuries. Because of the severity of the weather, troopers stopped responding to crashes in southwest Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management is coordinating with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Department of Health, the National Guard and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to address more potential disasters.

The Luverne National Guard Armory has been opened to house 35 juveniles from a nearby facility. HSEM logistics is coordinating fuel supplies to ensure continued power for a generator at that Armory. HSEM is also working with local officials to ensure they have adequate resources to clear debris.

Counties affected as of 4:45 p.m. included Nobles, Cottonwood, Murray and Rock in Minnesota.

Ice accumulation has caused thousands to lose power and has shut down the Nobles County government center. Twenty assisted-living residents from Tuff (toof) Memorial Home in Hills were moved Wednesday to the center’s 50-bed nursing home, and a hospital in Nobles County is fully on generator power.

Mower County remains under an ice storm warning and flood watch. The Cedar River was recorded at 6.1 feet at 3 p.m. in Austin; flood stage is 15 feet. Turtle Creek in Austin was recorded at 4.98 feet at 3:30. Flood stage is 10.5 feet.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wis., are still forecasting as much as three-tenths of an inch of ice in the Austin area over Wednesday night. Wind speeds could remain about 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 34 mph, as well.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.

SportsPlus

Mower County

PTTP kicks off 15th year of fighting cancer

Mower County

Rep. Bennett: Actions have consequences

Mower County

After several years of inviting visitors to Nativity collection, Austin couple says this is the last year

Education

School Board gets an update on reconstruction of Paulson Courts

Mower County

MMUA honors credentialed Austin journeyman lineworker Garitt Wytaske at annual conference

Mower County

Minnesotans fish free statewide with kids Jan. 18-20

Mower County

Minnesota Association of Townships announces 2025 Scholarship Program for high school juniors

News

U of M researchers examine preparedness for possibility of CWD jump to humans

News

University of Minnesota gets fast-tracked funding to survey wildlife for bird flu

News

House Democrats boycott opening day of Minnesota’s legislative session to thwart narrow GOP majority

Business

Hormel’s Snee to retire at end of fiscal year

News

Minnesota Legislature could be headed for a rocky start to its 2025 session

Mower County

Paint the Town Pink Kicks Off During Austin Area Chamber Business After Hours at The Hormel Institute

LeRoy

Mower County Sheriff’s Office investigating ATM theft in LeRoy

News

Milk from Minnesota dairy farms to undergo mandatory testing for bird flu

Mower County

Love the Work: Mike Hanson enters phased retirement having enjoyed his time with the county

Education

Ellis Middle School teacher nominated for STEM award

Mower County

Duplicate Bridge

Education

Education Briefs

News

Trump gets no-penalty sentence in his hush money case, while calling it ‘despicable’

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Dec. 30, 2024 -Jan. 6

News

As avian flu hits Minnesota’s wild birds, here’s what to watch for and how to help

News

Anita Bryant, a popular singer who became known for opposition to gay rights, dead at age 84

News

Trump will be sentenced in his hush money case, days before he returns to the White House