UPDATE: Hundreds of Woodbury homes, WMS without power

• PHOTO: Snowfall

Freshly fallen snow hung from trees Wednesday morning in Woodbury, while ice buildup on power lines made for a difficult morning for hundreds of Xcel Energy customers left without power.

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Woodbury Middle School students will get a day off today.

Woodbury Middle School suffered a power outage this morning, which will result in the school being closed for the remainder of the day.

All students who were bussed to the school were transported home at 9:30 a.m.

All student walkers were released to return home

Parents were asked to return to the school to pick up their child if they received a ride this morning.

School officials said the cause of the power outage was the result of a power line being down.

Woodbury Elementary also suffered a power outage this morning but the school is currently in session.

According to Xcel Energy's live online outage map, at least 575 customers in Woodbury had reported outages as of 9:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Xcel spokeswoman Mary Sandok said the outages have mainly been related to ice build-up on power lines. The incidents have resulted in "scattered outages through the metro area," she said.

Sandok said most Xcel customers' power was expected to be restored by noon today.

Between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. Tuesday, State Patrol crash numbers included:

Crash reports surged around Minnesota as a result of a winter storm that began Tuesday and lasted into today.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety released the following data late this morning:

Statewide

• 94 Crashes (eight reported injuries, none serious or fatal)

• 202 vehicles off the road/vehicle spin-outs

• Three jackknifed semis

Metro

• 73 Crashes (six reported injuries, none serious or fatal)

• 139 vehicles off the road/vehicle spin-outs

• Two jackknifed semis

“Road conditions vary throughout the Metro and statewide,” said State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske. “Many of the crashes and spin-outs we’ve seen are the result of people driving too fast. Motorists need to be aware of the conditions and adjust their speed accordingly especially now that the morning rush is over.”

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