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

DNR investigating recent waterfowl deaths across southern Minnesota

Mower County

A new reason to run: After diagnosis, Austin grad is looking to raise funds to fight MS

Mower County

SWCD board chair to serve as VP for state group

Mower County

Minnesota DNR: Enjoy the ice over the holidays, but check it often

Education

Education Briefs

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Dec. 9-16

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

G. Meadow man sentenced for drug charges, challenges pre-investigation in 2nd case

Mower County

Eastbound I-90 lane, ramps reopen in Austin as Cedar River bridge completed

News

A Place for Romantics: New downtown bookstore for romance is a dream for its owner

Agriculture

Voigts honored for conservation farming practices

Business

Austin realtor honored with Realtor Emeritus Award

Agriculture

Grant available to aid in weather resilience

Mower County

In Your Community: Asian Student Union donate 30 blankets to Mayo Clinic

Mower County

In Your Community: Austin Youth Hockey Peewee B shops for family

Brownsdale

In Your Community: Brownsdale Study Club

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

News

Minnesota House tie in peril after judge rules DFL lawmaker can’t be sworn in

News

Unwelcome holiday guests: RSV, flu and COVID-19 on the rise

News

Minnesota deputies saw 250 animals suffering at purported rescue. Weeks later, only 70 were left

News

Federal Reserve cuts its key rate by a quarter-point but envisions fewer reductions next year

Education

Riverland Community College celebrates remarkable enrollment growth

Mower County

Photos: Singing the song of the season

Mower County

Driver in crash that injured Wyatt Hamlin arrested in Tennessee