100 vehicles involved in Michigan interstate pileup as snowstorm sweeps U.S.

More than 100 vehicles were involved in a large chain-reaction crash on a Michigan interstate on Monday, as heavy snow and blowing winds reduced visibility to near zero during a winter storm moving across much of the United States.

The crash forced the closure of both directions of Interstate 196 in Ottawa County, southwest of Grand Rapids, as state police and emergency crews worked for hours to clear the roadway. Authorities said numerous people were injured, though no deaths had been reported as of Monday afternoon.

The incident underscored the dangers posed by the storm system, which has brought snow, freezing temperatures, and hazardous travel conditions across wide parts of the Midwest and eastern United States.

Whiteout conditions trigger chain-reaction crash

Michigan State Police said the pileup occurred Monday morning when snow squalls fueled by the Great Lakes sharply reduced visibility along I-196 near Hudsonville. More than 30 semitrailer trucks were among the vehicles involved, along with dozens of passenger cars and pickup trucks.

Drivers described sudden whiteout conditions that made it difficult to see even a short distance ahead. Pedro Mata Jr., who was driving through the area at the time, said visibility deteriorated rapidly as snow blew across the roadway.

He said he was traveling at about 20 to 25 miles per hour when traffic ahead slowed. Mata was able to stop his pickup truck safely but chose to pull into the median to avoid being struck from behind.

“It was a little scary just listening to everything, the bangs and booms behind you,” he said. “I saw what was in front of me. I couldn’t see what was behind me exactly.”

Police said many vehicles either collided with one another or slid off the roadway as drivers struggled to react to the sudden conditions.

Emergency response and road closures

The scale of the crash prompted a major emergency response. The Michigan State Police closed both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-196 while crews assessed injuries and began the lengthy process of removing damaged vehicles.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple crashes along the same stretch of road, including several jackknifed semitrailer trucks. Numerous vehicles were found off the roadway, some in ditches or snow-covered shoulders.

Stranded motorists were transported by bus to Hudsonville High School, where they were able to warm up, contact family members, and arrange transportation. Officials said the temporary shelter was necessary due to the bitter cold and the extended closure of the interstate.

Authorities warned drivers to expect significant delays and said the road would remain closed for several hours while cleanup operations continued.

Towing companies mobilized in freezing weather

Clearing the interstate required the coordination of multiple towing and recovery companies, working in difficult conditions as temperatures dropped and snow continued to fall.

Grand Valley Towing, one of the companies responding to the scene, dispatched more than a dozen trucks to help remove stranded and damaged vehicles. Other towing services were also called in to assist.

“We’re trying to get as many vehicles out of there as quickly as possible, so we can get the road opened back up,” said Jeff Westveld, a manager with Grand Valley Towing.

Officials said safety remained the priority, noting that slick pavement, limited visibility, and the presence of large trucks complicated recovery efforts.

Storm impacts felt across multiple states

The Michigan crash came as part of a broader winter storm system affecting much of the country. The National Weather Service issued warnings for extreme cold and winter weather across a wide region, stretching from northern Minnesota through Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and into New York.

Forecasters said the storm has been marked by fast-moving snow squalls, strong winds, and sharply dropping temperatures, conditions that can create sudden and dangerous travel hazards.

A day earlier, snowfall reached unusually far south, including parts of the Florida Panhandle. Cold weather also affected outdoor events, including football playoff games in Massachusetts and Chicago, where players struggled with icy conditions.

Meteorologists warned that freezing temperatures were possible overnight into Tuesday across much of north-central Florida and southeastern Georgia, regions where prolonged cold weather is less common.

Authorities urge caution as cleanup continues

State and local officials urged drivers to avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas and to check weather forecasts and road conditions before heading out. They emphasized that snow squalls can develop quickly, leaving little time for drivers to react.

In Michigan, authorities said the I-196 pileup serves as a reminder of how rapidly conditions can deteriorate during lake-effect snow events, particularly along major transportation corridors.

As cleanup continued Monday, officials said they would reassess road conditions before reopening the interstate, warning that additional snowfall or reduced visibility could prolong closures.