The National Weather Service implemented a blizzard warning from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Pocahontas Area Community School District took the unusual step of keeping all students in the school buildings well past dismissal time Thursday afternoon because it was unsafe for anyone to be on the roads. The students were kept in the schools until 7:30 p.m. and were fed supper.

Blowing snow was expected to be a hazard through this morning.

“If you can delay your travel, I certainly would do so,” said Trooper Paul Gardner, the public resource officer for District 7 of the Iowa State Patrol.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Snow blows across the pavement in the 3200 block of First Avenue South Thursday afternoon.

He urged anyone who will be traveling to slow down and wear their seatbelts.

At the height of the blustery conditions Thursday afternoon the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 20 in Hamilton County were “nearly impassable,” according to Gardner.

“The farther north and west you go, the worse it is,” he said.

Multiple traffic accidents were reported throughout the area.

In Webster County, apparently just one crash resulted in injuries. That one, which involved a car and a semi trailer, was reported at about 2:10 p.m. at U.S. Highway 169 and 320th Street. One person was taken to UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center. Firefighters from Harcourt and Gowrie, the Southwest Webster Emergency Medical Service and Webster County sheriff’s deputies responded. The crash was under investigation by sheriff’s deputies.

Multiple cars were reported in ditches along U.S. Highway 20 in Webster County.

Gardner said in Pocahontas County several vehicles went in ditches along highways 3 and 4.

One Thursday afternoon flight from Fort Dodge Regional Airport to Chicago- O’Hare International Airport was canceled.