BISON, S.D. – A blizzard warning heads into its third day in Harding and Perkins County, and conditions are brutal for calving and lambing season.
Ranchers in the area have had to take extra precautions to keep newborn livestock warm and dry.
That means digging snow away from calf shelters and providing adequate food and water.
There is some hope conditions will improve heading into the weekend.
Forecasters have the blizzard warning expiring at noon Thursday in northwestern South Dakota, but blustery conditions are expected into the weekend.
The Perkins County Sheriff reports deputies are busy getting to calls throughout the towns and county.
In a Facebook post, they say at this time SD Highway 73 is completely closed. There are multiple semis that have blocked the roadway and it is impassable from Lemmon to the Meadow Corner. The city crews and SDDOT are working on opening roadways, but they are blowing in just as fast as they clear them.
The sheriff’s office says “Please, do not drive unless it is emergency. US Highway 12 is still no travel and there are reports of it being blocked as well.”
Meanwhile, in North Dakota,
Record snowfall from a spring blizzard is shutting down government offices, schools and some businesses for a third day in North Dakota.
The Capitol and other state offices in Bismarck and beyond remained closed Thursday, public and private schools canceled classes or switched to virtual instruction, flights at the Bismarck Airport were canceled and some highways are still closed.
More than a foot of snow has fallen in Bismarck with about 2 feet in Dickinson and Glenburn.
“For the month of April it’s not uncommon to get the snow. Now, snow of this magnitude — this is something that’s a little bit more unique,” said Rick Krolak, at the weather service’s Bismarck office.
The state has activated its Emergency Operations Center and is coordinating with local emergency managers across North Dakota to ensure that resources are available if needed, according to the governor’s office.
