Cook County News Herald

First winter storm causes havoc





Last Friday night high winds blew trees down across Cook County, blocking roads and landing on power lines in places. One of the “tree” victims was the Christmas tree put up in Harbor Park by the city of Grand Marais. The city promises the tree will be put back up in time for the Friday night lighting ceremony.

Last Friday night high winds blew trees down across Cook County, blocking roads and landing on power lines in places. One of the “tree” victims was the Christmas tree put up in Harbor Park by the city of Grand Marais. The city promises the tree will be put back up in time for the Friday night lighting ceremony.

First came rain, then sleet. Then came the wind bending trees and blowing big waves into a crashing crescendo onto the shores of Lake Superior.

Then came snow, softly at first, then in shimmering sheets, blowing like a white hurricane through northern Minnesota.

Winter’s welcome to northern Minnesota arrived on Friday, November 18. And it came crashing through the long unseasonably warm fall like a big bull moose romping through a china shop, scattering things, shattering things, and shaking up the Northland.

The State Patrol reported more than three dozen crashes in the Duluth area; several with injuries but none with fatalities as motorists were fighting high winds, icy roads, and poor visibility.

In Cook County Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) plows were out in full-force, working around the clock to keep Highway 61 open and as free from ice as possible. Cook County plow truck drivers and City of Grand Marais plow truck drivers were kept busy over the same period.

Total snow accumulations throughout Cook and Lake counties ranged from 12 to 24 inches. Winds kicked up to 30 miles per hour—and some weather channels had the winds reaching 50 mph.

MnDOT advised no travel between Hibbing, Ely and Isabella on Friday night.

In Grand Marais high winds knocked over Beth’s Fudge Shop sign, a stop sign blew over next to George Maruska’s accounting office, the community

Christmas tree at harbor park was toppled, and a large pine fell on the hood of Sheila Wieben’s car, crushing it. The car was parked on Highway 61 near North House Folk School. MnDOT cleared that tree and several others that blew down blocking roads throughout the county.

While there was damage done, on Saturday the sound of snowmobiles could be heard. At North House Folk School participants attending the annual appropriately named Winterer’s Gathering festival were busy making snowshoes and cross country skis were being waxed. And at Lutsen Mountains snowmakers were adding to the (welcomed) snow that fell. Winter is here. And if it came abruptly and somewhat sternly, it’s time to enjoy the new landscape, if not outside, then inside with a hot cup of cocoa and a nice long book read by a warm fire.


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