12/30/2010 Fergus Falls, MN Blizzard

I made it in the winter war zone in western Minnesota before Interstate 94 was shut down and the area was closed off.

A powerful winter storm system is hitting West Central and Northern Minnesota with a blizzard on Thursday and moving into New Years Eve.

This storm system has shut down Interstate 94 in both directions from Jamestown, ND to Alexandria MN.

The roads were brutal as the MNDot plows were pulled off the roads in this area. The warm weather earlier in the day melted the snow pack and melt combined with rain caused a layer of glare ice on the roads surface on the interstate as well as the highway and side roads around Fergus Falls, MN. As the temperature dropped rapidly, the water froze and then combine in the heavy winds and snow, travel was almost impossible even with four wheel drive.

I was able to catch a rare clip of video with a Minnesota State Trooper spinning its wheels to try and get out of the very deep snow that he was stuck in.

I also shot various clips of cars stuck in the snow and blowing snow in high winds.

Driving over all the freaking snow drifts made if felt like doing 30 miles per hour over heavy chop in a boat.

To license this footage, contact us at http://www.stormchasingvideo.com

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Minnesota State Patrol
• MN
• Mndot
• mn/dot
• Minnesota
• interstate
• 94
• i94
• Fergus
• falls
• blizzard
• winter
• storm
• blowing
• snow
• crash
• automobile
• auto
• fail
• car
• cars
• crashes
• new age
• sled
• interstate 94 shut down
• road closed
• high speed

[paralyzes]

The MN State Patrol squad that was backing up was State Patrol Trooper #294 who happens to be assigned to the Fergus Falls station.

[bnvn1]

@paralyzes He made great video cuz I thought he was stuck and he made out out of that mess.

[themntornado]

Heard that I-94 had to be closed twice during this blizzard. This is the best video that I've seen to date showing what Northwestern Minnesota has been going through during New Years Eve 2010/2011. Great job man.

[bnvn1]

@themntornado yeah that area is being hit hard this year with tornadoes and now blizzards. I got in there just in time. I was able to get in before the roads were closed west bound and leave before the east bound roads were shut down. Heard some people blew past the road closed area to only get stuck and then get hit with some huge fines for having to get rescued.

[paralyzes]

Well, watch for MN State Patrol Unit #48086, the operator SP #294 and his merry band of maroon & gold compatriots again this winter. You can bet they all will be blazing trails again this winter. The biggest hope is that it's a mild, safe winter on the endless ribbon of cement, snow, ice, & obscene speeds that come along with it; new tires are ready for instalation on the rocket ship. :)

[FoleyArtist]

Was a busy night for me and my friend. We pulled several cars out with his truck in town that night. Couldn't believe how many people were out trying to drive in that stuff. Towing companies definitely had a busy night.

[themntornado]

Heard that I-94 had to be closed twice during this blizzard.

[tman383]

Some crazy storm day today ^.^

[ThatsMrMoronToYou]

I just came back south from up there. Snow I can handle. It's the ice that kills me.