BISMARCK -- The blizzard that is pummeling North Dakota this week comes on the 25th anniversary of one of the worst winter storms on record for that state.

The National Weather Service says the storm back in 1997 started on April 4th and ended on the 7th.

The precipitation started out as raining and freezing rain before changing over to snow. Snow was accumulating at an average rate of up to two inches an hour, with 50 to 60 mile an hour winds. The snow from that storm brought Bismarck's season snowfall total to 101.4 inches, which is still their all-time seasonal snowfall record.

The total damage estimate from the 1997 storm was $44.7 million, with two people dead and 16 injuries. An estimated 100,000 head of cattle were lost. At least 300 wooden power poles had to be replaced, with an estimated 75,000 homes without power for some time over that weekend.

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The following Monday President Bill Clinton declared North Dakota a disaster area.

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