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Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3212
Media Advisory: Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Contact: Kristi Turman, 773-3231
EmergencyOperationsCenter spring storm update
I-90 westbound from Rapid City to Spearfish opens
Media briefing Thursday, April 20, 11 a.m. (CDT)
PIERRE, S.D. – The state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reports that a stretch of I-90 westbound from Rapid City to Spearfish has opened. The interstate remains closed westbound from Spearfish to the Wyoming border. I-90 is open eastbound from the Wyoming border across all of South Dakota.
Highway 85 from Cheyenne Crossing to the Wyoming line remains closed. Other roads are not in good traveling condition. Residents are warned that travel is dangerous because of heavy snow, slush, and downed power lines and trees. Travel is not advised. Please continue to check South Dakota road conditions at the Department of Transportation 511 Travel Information website.
The EOC continues to work closely with county emergency managers, tracking and supplying requests to those hard hit by the spring snow storm. The EOC reports the following:
- The blizzard knocked out power to more than 15,200 customers in western South Dakota.
- Power has been restored to 6,797 members.
- Five co-ops Black Hills, Butte, La Creek, WestRiver and Grand reporting power loss to customers.
- There are 1925 miles of power line affected with 1376 power poles down.
- WAPA is reporting 23 structures (H towers) north of Newell.
- Workers are being relocated to affected areas. Resources to include: personnel, poles, and pole trailers.
- Black Hills Power and Light (non co-op) is reporting customers without power. Estimated 500 poles down.
DOT
There are currently approximately 105 plows were out today in the Rapid City Region -- 40+ plows, with operators and supervisors, are headed to Rapid City from various points in the Pierre Region.
LIVESTOCK
Major Issues: Calving in process and access to feed due to drifting. For assistance, contact should be made with the state EmergencyOperationsCenter by calling 773-3231.
COMMUNICATIONS
Eighty portable radios will be distributed to storm area from a state cache to facilitate power restoration.
SHELTERS
Whitewood Volunteer Fire Department, Whitewood Baptist Church and Belle Fourche Community Center.
NOTE: A media briefing will be held on Thursday, April 20 at 11 a.m. (CDT). Media outlets may join the conference call by dialing 1-888-809-4012 and enter access code 7733213.
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