Blue Earth County, MN – Drivers across South Central Minnesota are being urged to stay off the roads Sunday afternoon as blizzard-like conditions forced snow plows to stop operations due to dangerously poor visibility.
According to the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office, all county snow plows were pulled from roadways around 12 p.m. Sunday after strong winds and blowing snow created near-zero visibility, making conditions unsafe for crews and motorists alike. Officials say plowing operations will resume Monday morning if visibility improves enough to allow safe travel.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has issued a No Travel Advisory for all state highways and Interstate 90 in South Central Minnesota, warning that road conditions have rapidly deteriorated. Strong winds are causing snow to drift back onto cleared roads, resulting in whiteout conditions in some areas.
A No Travel Advisory means visibility and road conditions have reached a point where travel is considered very dangerous, even for experienced winter drivers. Emergency responders warn that vehicles could become stranded quickly, and response times may be delayed due to weather conditions.
Officials are asking residents to avoid all non-essential travel until conditions improve. Those who must travel are urged to carry emergency supplies, ensure phones are fully charged, and check road conditions before leaving.
MnDOT and local law enforcement will continue monitoring conditions throughout the evening and overnight. Road status updates can be found on 511mn.org or through local emergency management social media channels.
Have you encountered whiteout conditions today or seen roads worsening in your area?
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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