KDSN RADIO News
Severe Winter Storm Shuts Down Iowa Interstates, Causes Crashes Statewide
Dangerous winter conditions prompted state officials to close major Iowa highways Sunday as snow, wind, and blowing snow created life-threatening travel conditions across the state. By 3:10 a.m. Monday, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported that Interstate 35 was shut down between U.S. Highway 30 near Ames and the Minnesota state line, roughly 23 miles north of Clear Lake, due to the ongoing winter storm.
The Iowa DOT and Iowa State Patrol strongly advised motorists not to attempt alternate routes, warning that county roads and secondary highways were experiencing equally hazardous conditions. Several northern Iowa counties implemented tow bans, further complicating travel. According to the Iowa Falls Times-Citizen, area hotels quickly reached capacity, and the Iowa Falls Fire Station on South River Street opened as an emergency shelter for stranded travelers.
Between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, the Iowa State Patrol responded to 31 crashes statewide. Twenty-two of those incidents involved property damage only, eight resulted in injuries, and one was fatal. Troopers also handled 127 motorist assist calls. The most significant crash occurred Sunday afternoon on Interstate 35, where 14 vehicles were involved in a pileup as high winds and blowing snow reduced visibility to near zero. DOT officials said many drivers were traveling too fast for conditions and ignoring warnings to slow down or stay off the roads.
Additional closures were reported across western Iowa. Interstate 29 was shut down in both directions for several hours between Onawa and Sloan following a multi-vehicle crash. The Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office reported two separate multi-vehicle accidents near the Woodbury-Monona County line. Meanwhile, portions of Interstate 80 between Cass and Pottawattamie counties were partially blocked Sunday morning after crashes involving semis and other vehicles. Minor injuries were reported in some of those incidents.
A blizzard warning remains in effect until 9 a.m. Monday for 20 counties across northern and parts of northwest Iowa, as officials continue to urge travelers to delay trips until conditions improve.
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