North Dakota-Minnesota border, November 28, 2025
Emergency responders near the North Dakota-Minnesota border narrowly avoided being struck by a car during severe blizzard conditions from November 25 to 28, 2025, while attending crash sites amid hazardous winter weather that caused widespread transportation disruptions.
Dashcam footage recorded by a fire crew captured the close call as a vehicle drove recklessly through the storm, underscoring the dangerous conditions first responders had to face. The incident occurred along regional roadways where visibility was near zero due to intense snow and wind gusts nearing 55 mph.
Severe Blizzard Impact Across the Midwest
A powerful winter storm produced extensive lake effect snow totaling more than 30 inches in some parts of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The blizzard brought heavy snowdrifts up to six feet and forced closures on major highways including I-75, I-94, and US-41. Authorities reported over 80 vehicle spinouts in Sault Ste. Marie alone and numerous multi-vehicle pileups statewide.
Emergency Response Efforts
Local emergency services actively responded to dozens of accidents during the storm, aided by over 400 snow plows deployed to clear roads and maintain mobility where possible. Warming centers were opened to provide refuge for stranded motorists. Despite the extreme weather and numerous crashes, officials confirmed no major injuries or fatalities.
Increased Risks to First Responders
The near-miss incident highlights additional hazards emergency personnel encounter when navigating treacherous roadways amid blizzard conditions. Reckless or impaired driving in such environments not only endangers stranded drivers but also places responders at heightened risk while working to secure accident scenes.
The events over the Thanksgiving weekend illustrate the profound challenges that severe winter storms present to transportation safety and emergency operations in the Midwest. Officials continue to remind drivers to exercise extreme caution or avoid travel altogether during these life-threatening weather episodes.