Park Rapids and Nevis schools will start two hours late today as the region digs out from an estimated 9 to 12 inches of new snow. Menahga has closed for the day.
Park Rapids school district transportation director Cindy Leach said buses will run only in areas where they can get through. Although the major highways were plowed overnight; some township roads have not been.
The National Weather Service can only estimate snowfall totals because there are no cooperating weather observers in the area. Park Rapids received an estimated 9 inches of new snow, while areas in the northeastern section of Hubbard County received an estimated foot of snow. Most surrounding areas received 10.5 inches, said National Weather Service meteorologist Pete Speicher.
The Hubbard County Sheriff's Department reported only five weather-related accidents during the storm. At least two people were taken by ambulance to the Park Rapids hospital following separate accidents on Highway 4, one at the intersection of Highway 34 and one earlier at the intersection of Highway 40. Both people were treated for minor injuries and released, one with a lacerated hand and one with a whiplash injury.
Wind speeds of 50 mph made travel hazardous by Tuesday afternoon.
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The region is under a wind chill advisory, with below-zero temperatures and 35 below zero wind chills.
