STURGIS, S.D. – With drifts approaching 6-8 feet in places, Winter Storm Diaz refuses to give Western South Dakota a break Thursday.
The storm’s blizzard warning continues until Friday morning for most of the area.
I-90 from the Wyoming line all the way out to Chamberlain is closed and truck stops on either end of the closure are full. So much so, that the highway patrol was asking truckers to consider long-term parking options in areas east and west of the closure.
Most roads in the immediate area have no travel advised, and Meade County earlier today suspended road operation because of the poor conditions.
The City of Sturgis Public Works have been out since early Thursday morning, trying to keep up with Diaz’s 55 mph-plus wind gusts, but as Sturgis Water Superintendent Todd Youngberg says, it’s been quite a battle.
Sturgis Public Works Director Rick Bush says Youngberg is among the many working to clear the roads. However, Bush says with the conditions today, he’s recommending you stay home.
Joining Sturgis with a no travel warning was Meade County, who announced they were suspending operations because of the poor visibility and drifting snow. County officials say it will likely be Friday at the earliest before operations resume.
Spearfish also issued a No Travel Allowed warning earlier Thursday.
Most roads across the area are under a no travel advisory.
The National Weather Service says the blizzard warning has been extended to Friday morning. Most areas could see another 1-3 inches of snow Thursday, along with wind gusts as high as 65 mph.
