Snow Closes N.D. Highways

FARGO, N.D. — Heavy, wind-whipped snow shut down major highways in eastern North Dakota for part of Sunday, stranding travelers and blocking streets with stuck vehicles.

As much as 13 inches of snow fell overnight in Fargo and adjoining Moorhead, Minn., and 11 inches fell at Grand Forks, N.D., the National Weather Service estimated. Wind gusted to 50 mph in parts of both states. The northeastern corner of South Dakota also got 11 inches.

Blizzard warnings were posted for northeastern North Dakota and extreme northwestern Minnesota. Freezing rain caused power outages in southwestern Minnesota.

North Dakota closed Interstate 29 and about 60 miles of I-94 west from Fargo overnight. Crews reopened I-94 and portions of I-29 on Sunday.

About 100 people spent the night at a gasoline station and convenience store off I-94 in Valley City, owner John Hill said. An all-night cafe next door supplied food.

“We’ve had a full house of people just waiting,” said Rita Winings, manager of the Hilltop Cafe. “Some were playing cards because they couldn’t go anywhere.”