HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (AP) — A powerful winter storm blanketed Michigan in snow on Monday, resulting in a staggering pileup of over 100 vehicles on Interstate 196, just southwest of Grand Rapids. This incident forced the Michigan State Police to close both directions of the interstate while crews worked diligently to clear the roads.
The accident involved numerous vehicles, including more than 30 large trucks, and has led to several injuries, although fortunately, no fatalities have been reported. The Ottawa County Sheriff’s office indicated that numerous cars were stranded off the road, with jack-knifed semis complicating the situation further.
As local authorities scrambled to address the crisis, stranded motorists were assisted by emergency crews and taken to Hudsonville High School. Here, they were able to call for help or arrange rides out of the chaos.
This incident is part of a larger winter weather pattern, with the National Weather Service issuing warnings of freezing temperatures and storms extending across multiple states, from northern Minnesota down to the Florida Panhandle. As temperatures plummet, states like Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York are bracing for similar weather conditions.
The severe impact of this storm comes just as snow impacted football playoff games in Massachusetts and Chicago, further illustrating the storm's broad reach. Forecasters indicate that frigid temperatures could persist overnight, presenting ongoing challenges for those in affected areas.
