Christmas Day Ice Storm Hits the Region, Causing Power Outages

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR:5PM Update) — It’s a Christmas Day ice storm.

That has the National Weather Service upgrading it’s winter weather watch to an Ice Storm Warning for Barnes, Cass, Ransom, Sargent, Richland Counties.

Significant icing expected.

Total ice accumulations up to one half of an inch, with some areas receiving up to three quarters of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

A Travel Alert is in place for portions of eastern North Dakota due to blowing snow, icy road conditions and reduced visibility.

Rain and freezing rain is coating everything causing dangerous driving conditions.

First responders have been called out to reports of vehicles off the slick roads in the region.

Travel will be difficult in some areas and impossible in others with possible power outages.

As of 4:30 p.m. Monday, Xcel Energy reported an outage impacting 210 customers in Wolverton, Fargo, Sabin, Comstock and Moorhead.

A company website said:”Crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Please continue to check back for estimated restoration time updates. Thank you for your patience.”

Cass County Electric Cooperative reported a power outage just after 3 p.m. impacting around 60 customers in rural Cass County, north of Davenport.

They reported another outage around 4:10 p.m. impacting 16 customers west of Amenia.

Wild Rice Electric was reporting just one outage east of Detroit Lakes around 3:15 pm.