It’s your picture postcard variety snow that’s blanketed Branch County, covering trees and bushes but it takes a heavy, wet snowfall to do that and with it comes downed limbs and utility lines, not to mention slushy slick road conditions where the surfaces haven’t yet been bladed by County Road Commission crews.

Consumers Energy reports a pair of power outages in Branch County, both north of Coldwater in Coldwater and Girard Townships, each one affecting between 50 and 200 customers. All schools in Branch County are closed today along with many across the area.

There have been dozens of slide off accidents keeping troopers and deputies busy. One serious injury crash was reported around 6:15 last night on northbound I-69 in Branch County near Dorrance Road. Michigan State Police say a 59-year old Kentucky man who was alone in his pickup, lost control of the truck, which went into the median and rolled over. He was wearing his seat belt but because of the extent of damage to the vehicle, was trapped before being freed with the Jaws of Life used by Coldwater Fire Department first responders who cut the top of the pickup open. The driver was taken to the Community Health Center of Branch County and then transferred to a trauma center in Ft. Wayne for further treatment. Troopers say alcohol was not a factor in the accident but report the man was travelling too fast for conditions. Occasional snow showers remain in the forecast through tonight with scattered morning snow showers for Thursday.