Journey not suggested north of Highway 30 on account of blizzard circumstances, I-35 closing in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa’s News Now) — Iowa officers say journey isn’t suggested on ALL state roads north of Highway 30 on account of blizzard circumstances. The northeast portion of the state is the place concern is biggest.

The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa State Patrol says roads will probably be impassable because of the rain, freezing pavements, heavy snow, and blizzard/whiteout circumstances.

• I-35 might be closed on all lanes in each instructions from U.S. 30 at Ames north to the Minnesota state line beginning at 3 p.m. on account of excessive winds and whiteout circumstances.
• Iowa DOT will shut the IA 415 / Saylorville Mile Long Bridge in Polk County at 2 p.m. on account of excessive winds.
• Iowa officers are additionally working intently with Minnesota and South Dakota officers, as closures and advisories in these states can impression journey to and from Iowa.

High-profile autos resembling vehicles, trailers, and leisure autos ought to use excessive warning whereas driving in excessive winds. Drivers ought to cut back velocity, enhance following distances, and think about delaying journey. High winds might be impactful throughout the state, no matter whether or not there may be precipitation.

Iowa residents are inspired to remain residence and delay journey till roads reopen and it’s protected to journey. Motorists touring by means of Iowa on I-35 are suggested to hunt shelter and traveler companies resembling meals, lodging, and gasoline within the Ames and Clear Lake / Mason City areas.

For these sheltering close to Ames, the Story County Emergency Management Agency maintains a listing of lodges, a Red Cross shelter web site, and different info on its Facebook web page. Travelers and truckers on I-35 are additionally inspired to hunt out shelter and parking within the higher Des Moines space as services close to Ames can refill rapidly.

Iowa DOT and ISP don’t advise vacationers to hunt alternate non-freeway routes, as these are additionally prone to be hazardous and have very restricted entry to shelter and traveler companies. Travelers ought to search shelter and companies in bigger cities resembling Clear Lake / Mason City, Ames, Des Moines, and Sioux City.

The closure will proceed till circumstances enhance, with no particular goal time. Even as circumstances enhance, Iowa DOT crews will want time to take away snow and ice, and legislation enforcement could must take away stranded autos, to permit for protected journey.

Conditions throughout Iowa proceed to be difficult for journey on all roadways. Drivers are inspired to keep away from pointless journeys.

Check Iowa 511 for roadway circumstances. Visit511ia.org; name 511 (inside Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); keep related with 511 on Facebook or X (discover hyperlinks at or obtain the free app to your cellular machine.