A storm with the stamp of unpredictable March blew across Minnesota today, leaving six inches or more of snow and disruptions such as hazardous driving and electrical power outages.

The Highway Department and State Patrol cautioned motorists against travel in much of the state, particularly in western sections.

AT DULUTH, winds were measured at 94 miles an hour. Winds at New Ulm were measured at 15 mph this morning.

A total of five inches of the wet snow fell in the New Ulm area with two to four more inches predicted by the time the storm subsides. The storm was expected to continue through this evening.

Trouble which power linemen call “galloping conductors” was blamed for power disruptions in many parts of the region. The trouble occurs when winds whip transmission lines against each other, a spokesman said.

Power lines, weighted by wet snow, were reported down in most rural areas. Many power poles also had been toppled by the storm.

HIGH VOLTAGE lines were reported down and lying across a road south of Winthrop on County Road 1. Sibley County authorities also reported power lines lying along County Road 57.

Electrical power outages late Sunday afternoon were reported at Sleepy Eye, Lafayette, Hanska, Morgan, St. George, Essig and portions of the New Ulm area. Power was still out in the St. George area this morning.

A Northern States Power Co. (NSP)spokesman said the company’s Winthrop plant, which feeds rural electric outlets, had some problems during the storm and some areas of Winthrop were without power.

A spokesman for Brown County Rural Electric Association at Sleepy Eye said losses of power were being reported throughout the county. The company has 3,000 customers. Outages were not concentrated in specific areas but were scattered, the spokesman said.

SCHOOLS were closed throughout the region. Both parochial and public schools were closed in New Ulm. Schools also were closed at Winthrop, Sleepy Eye, Wabasso, Springfield, Gaylord, Gibbon, Renville, Belview, Danube and Storden-Jeffers.

Dr. Martin Luther College and Academy were closed today because spring vacation for students began Friday.

L.E. Lowinske, New Ulm fire chief, said persons should be careful to check exhausts from gas appliances so they don’t become clogged by the heavy snow. Gas furnaces and hot water heaters especially should be checked, he said.

Persons using space heaters when their power goes out should be sure they are properly vented so there is no danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, Lowinske said. He added that persons without other heating sources can use extra blankets and share body heat to keep warm.

Lowinske suggested that persons with refrigerators and deep freezes should leave them closed as long as possible during a power outage so the appliance will retain the cold and keep food from spoiling.

Snow was reported drifting into some attics during the weekend snowstorm.

L.E. Lowinske, New Ulm police chief, said persons who experience the problem should get into their attics and remove the snow before it melts. If the snow melts it will run through ceilings and down walls, causing damage, he said.

“Snow often sifts into the attics,”Lowinske said. “Unless they can get up there and get it out, nature takes its course and the snow melts.”

Lowinske added that snow drifts into the attic of his own home, but there’s not enough room for him to crawl into the attic. Thus he’s forced to just let the snow melt.

BROWN COUNTY

Many power outages were reported in the county. KNUJ-AM and FM at New Ulm was off the air about 5:30 p.m. Sunday. One traveler took a Greyhound bus from Minneapolis to New Ulm, and the trip consumed 312 hours instead of the usual two.

McLEOD COUNTY

Little snow was reported at Glencoe and schools were open this morning.

NICOLLET COUNTY

Quite a few power outages were reported north of Nicollet, said Cal Palmerston, general manager of the Blue Earth-Nicollet Cooperative. He estimated 500persons were without power. He said people should fill their bathtubs with water when they get power so they’ve got water if power goes off again.

REDWOOD COUNTY

Two inches of snow was reported. A lot of lines were down and some power outages were being reported.

RENVILLE COUNTY

Poor visibility was reported at Olivia and schools were closed. Some farmers in the Fairfax area had been without power since 1:45 a.m. today. Power also was off at Fairfax from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday in some areas served by the Renville-Sibley Power Cooperative.

SIBLEY COUNTY

Four to five inches of snow fell in the Gaylord area. Officials were advising no travel.

WATONWAN COUNTY

Just about all the snow had melted in St. James. Heavier snow was reported west of St. James. No power outages were reported in Watonwan County this morning.

New Ulm Daily Journal

March 24, 1975