Ice Storm in Aurora, South Dakota

An ice storm consisting of several periods of freezing rain caused widespread damage and paralyzed travel. Widespread damage occurred to electrical poles and lines, leaving thousands without power for up to four days. Numerous accidents occurred, including many vehicles which slid off the road. One fatality occurred in a semi accident on Interstate 90 near Plankinton on November 14th. Two fatalities occurred 9 miles south of Coleman when a car slid off a gravel road and into a stream, drowning the occupants, also on November 14th. A school bus slid into a ditch near Lennox on November 18th, causing four minor injuries. Several injuries due to falls were reported in the Sioux Falls area. Many surfaces were coated with more than an inch of ice, making gravel roads as slippery as paved roads. Tree damage was widespread with tree debris blocking several roads and siedwalks. Some farm buildings and other small structures were damaged by the weight of ice and snow on roofs. Damage continued past the ending of the ice storm, including some damage when ice melted unevenly during later milder weather. The total extent of the damage was expected to be unknown for a long period.