Perham Declares Snow Emergency, Schools Close Early Across Region

The City of Perham declared a snow emergency effective 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 9, instituting a city wide parking prohibition to allow crews to clear streets. The restriction remained in force until streets were plowed curb to curb or until the public works director determined that snow removal had been adequately completed. The measure aimed to keep arterial and residential roads passable as accumulating snow and gusty winds reduced visibility and slowed traffic.

Snow began falling heavily before noon on Tuesday, with total accumulations forecast in the range of four to seven inches and winds gusting up to thirty miles per hour. Those conditions prompted school leaders across the region to alter schedules. Perham Dent Public Schools dismissed students at 1:10 p.m. Tuesday. Frazee, Detroit Lakes, Lake Park Audubon and Waubun Ogema White Earth likewise announced early closures. All after school activities were canceled, affecting athletics, clubs and childcare plans for many families.

The snow emergency and school dismissals had immediate effects on commuting, municipal services and daily routines in Perham and surrounding communities. The parking ban required residents and visitors to move vehicles off city streets to permit plows to operate curb to curb, a key step in restoring normal travel lanes and emergency access. With responsibility for ending the restrictions resting with the public works director, residents should expect variable timelines depending on weather persistence and equipment deployment.

Local officials and transportation authorities advised monitoring road and weather conditions as crews worked through accumulation and drifting. For up to date road information across Otter Tail County and the Perham area, consult the Minnesota Department of Transportation 511 site at https://511mn.org. The combination of steady snowfall and gusty winds underscores the operational demands on public works departments and the importance of timely communication so residents can plan travel, arrange childcare and minimize strain on emergency services during severe winter storms.