Blizzard Estra strands 800 in North Dakota Friday; numerous accidents in PR today

Blizzard Estra stranded 800 motorists in North Dakota Friday. Her tail winds caused numerous accidents in the Park Rapids area Saturday morning.

In Hubbard County deputies responded to four accidents, including two rollovers, on Highway 71 south of Park Rapids, in a one-hour period. Most were traveling too fast for the icy conditions, authorities said.

One 20-year-old woman was transported to St. Joseph's Area Health Services with a possible neck injury. Noe of the other vehicle occupants were injured.

Blizzard Estra swept through North Dakota and western Minnesota on Friday, bringing strong winds and a blast of snow that stranded hundreds of motorists and made for hazardous traveling conditions for much of the day.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol says about 800 motorists have been rescued following a blizzard that hammered the state on Friday.

Lt. Jody Skogen says all motorists who were stranded have been found and taken to shelters by law enforcement and the National Guard.

The National Weather Service lifted its blizzard warning Saturday in North Dakota but a no travel advisory continues throughout much of the state. Most of the major highways in the state remain closed.

Weather service meteorologist Todd Hamilton says 2 to 4 inches of snow fell over much of the state Friday. The snow was blown by winds of up to 60 mph.