(KMOV/AP) — A 15-vehicle crash has blocked a section of Interstate 55 in southeastern Missouri as snow from a massive winter storm swept through the area and slicked roads.
The Missouri Department of Transportation issued the news of the pileup near Ste. Genevieve on its Twitter page around 4 p.m. Saturday. The department says the interstate was blocked because of the crash, which included a responding firetruck. Motorists were urged to find an alternate route. There was no immediate word on injuries.
Transportation officials said crews hoped to clear the interstate’s lanes within a few hours, but said snowfall was slowing that work.
Officials say many roads in Missouri have been slicked over with ice from rain earlier in the day before conditions turned to snow and plummeting temperatures.
The Zell Fire Department reports one of their firetrucks was struck by a semi truck and is now out of service.
Here are photos from a couple of the crashes that resulted in the closure of I-55 in Ste. Genevieve County. The roadway still remains closed at this time. Avoid this area if you are traveling. pic.twitter.com/zKFtxdt0es
— MSHP Troop C (@MSHPTrooperC) January 19, 2019