Several pile-up crashes involving at least 20 vehicles in total forced the shutdown of Interstate 35 in Iowa on Monday.
On February 5th, I-35 was shut down between 13th Street and US 30 in Ames, Iowa near mile marker 116.
According to the Des Moines Register, the crashes all occurred in the southbound lanes, but the northbound lanes were also closed to allow emergency vehicles better access to the accidents.
Several injuries have been reported and their severity is not yet clear, but it is known that no fatalities were suffered as a result of the accidents.
“It’s a mess,” said Police Sgt. Ludwig.
“They’re trying to get everyone to slow down… One of the biggest issues are drivers trying to get on the highway and then crashing into the accident,” he continued.
The heavy snowfall is also affecting other roadways in the state, shutting down Interstate 80 westbound near Van Meter due to two semi truck blocking the roadway, and between Hickman Road and I-35 due to another serious crash.
US Highway 30 is also closed between County Road P33 and Iowa 144 near Grand Junction, Iowa 4 northbound is blocked between Iowa 141 and County Road E57, Iowa 117 is blocked in both directions between County Road F48 and I-80 near Colfax, and Interstate 380 northbound is blocked between County Road E70 and US 30; US 151 and US 218 near Cedar Rapids, all due to crashes caused by the heavy snowfall.
Here’s the current scene in Iowa right now along I-35 at East Lincoln Way… extremely dangerous multi-car pileup. #IAwx pic.twitter.com/cn8YzeaSFi
— Tyler Roney (@TylerJRoney) February 5, 2018
“This could be the most snow we’ve had in one single snow event in Des Doines in quite some time,” said meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines, Kurt Kotenberg.
Most of the state is expected to experience heavy snowfall until around 7:00 p.m. on Monday evening.
As of 2:05 p.m., the multiple road closures were still in effect.
