The Lincoln Charter Township Firefighters social media post said it all.
“If you don’t need to be driving, stay off the roads. This is the third time tonight the highway has been shut down due to accidents.”
Just after midnight on Tuesday, the Michigan Department of Transportation sent notice that Eastbound I-94 was closed at Exit 23 due to a crash. Two hours later, MDOT sent word that Eastbound I-94 at Exit 27 was also closed due to the previous crash. At 4:35 am, the Eastbound lanes at Exit 27 were reopened.
Similar messages started early Monday and continued into Tuesday morning from Berrien, Van Buren, Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Kent, and surrounding counties as snow and ice made travel treacherous.
The biggest mess was on I-196, just outside of Hudsonville.
First responders said more than 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup as lake-effect snow and high winds created whiteout conditions. Michigan State Police shut down both directions of the freeway southwest of Grand Rapids while crews worked to clear wrecked vehicles, including more than 30 semitrailer trucks. Authorities reported numerous injuries but said no deaths had been confirmed. Drivers described extremely limited visibility as snow blew across the roadway, contributing to the chain-reaction crashes.
Stranded motorists were transported by bus to Hudsonville High School to seek assistance. Officials said the interstate would remain closed for several hours as towing companies and emergency crews continued cleanup efforts in sub-zero, near-blizzard conditions.
In addition to I-94 and I-196, multiple collisions in whiteout conditions also led officials to close northbound U.S. 131 near M-43 on Monday. Drivers reported similar whiteout conditions on U.S. 31 between the Michigan/Indiana state line and points north.
A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Cass and Berrien counties until 7 am ET. The National Weather Service expects more lake effect snow, gusty winds to 35 mph in Berrien county with blowing and drifting on north-south roads. Officials say roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute.
If you have to be on the road, you’re urged to slow down, use caution, and have a blanket in the car in case you get stranded.
Image from Lincoln Charter Township Fire social media.
