Sheriff's office declares state of emergency in Olmsted County
The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office declared a state of emergency on Sunday:
The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office has declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY for Olmsted County. We have requested National Guard Assistance to rescue stranded motorist throughout the County.
ALL MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT TRAVEL UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!
Blizzard warnings are in effect throughout the region. Many roads and highways across SE Minneosta and NE Iowa remain impassable.
Here in Olmsted County, there have been reports of vehicles being stranded along major corridors, including Highway 14.
Winds of up to 58 m.p.h. have been reported this afternoon at Rochester International Airport. As a result of the blowing snow, both the airport and the city’s transit provider have suspended operations for the day.
Meantime, the City of Rochester plans to continue plowing roads until 4 p.m. Sunday. At that point, drivers who have been on the road for up to 16 hours will be sent home to rest. Plowing will resume at midnight.
Overnight, parts of our area received upwards of 13.5 inches of snow.
Adding insult to injury, the National Weather service says we can expect to wake up Monday morning to wind chills as low as -20 to -30.
Rochester City Lines said late Sunday it will not provide commuter bus service on Monday. Rochester Public Schools will also be closed Monday.
Cover photo: Highway 14 on Sunday / Sarah Donahoe
