In Minnesota, Governor Tim Pawlenty has ordered the Minnesota National Guard to help local authorities with storm relief as needed.

Along with several in Western Wisconsin, both Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools are among the many districts that have canceled school to help keep people off the road. Guard members are on standby and ready to help with power generation, search- and-rescue operations and humanitarian relief for as long as necessary.

The Guard opened its armories in Owatonna and Albert Lea to provide shelter for motorists in one of the areas where roads were closed by the heavy snow and blizzard conditions.