May blizzard shuts down parts of S. Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D., May 2 (UPI) -- The mayor of Rapid City, S.D., Friday pleaded with residents to stay home as a May blizzard closed down streets and highways in parts of the state.

"Please, stay off the roads until the weather clears. The wind is still gusting to 50 mph with heavy snow," said Mayor Alan Hanks. "There are very few businesses that are going to open, so take a day off and enjoy it."

Rapid City police said they would cite any motorists who got stuck in drifts and were traveling on any non-essential business, the Rapid City Journal reported.

City snowplows were working to clear main arteries, major intersections, emergency routes and other hazardous areas.

Private snow removal contractors said the heavy snow and high winds -- clocked in excess of 65 mph in some places -- made removal efforts almost futile.

Officials in Spearfish, Belle Fourche and Butte Counties declared snow emergencies. All roads were closed to travel except for emergency vehicles.

Sections of Interstate 90 and Highway 79 were shut down.