GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- As the winter storm escalated in intensity late Friday, conditions began to further deterioriate.
As of 4:30 p.m. U.S.-131 remained shut down northbound from exit 64 in Wayland to Exit 72, which is 100th Street in southern Kent County. A dispatcher told WOOD Radio there had been multiple accidents on that stretch of expressway, including a couple of jackknifed semis.
Also, M-40 was shut down in both directions most of the day between Hamilton and Holland due to blowing snow over the roadway.
The Kent County Road Commission said visibility is greatly reduced with escalating white-out conditions due to the powerful wind gusts blowing the snow. Single-digit temperatures were reducing the effectiveness of salt on the roadways.
"Therefore, crews will continue to focus on plowing and scraping snow. KCRC night crew will be taking over at 6 p.m. They will address any remaining neighborhoods that have not yet received service and then focus on state roads and county primary roads," the KCRC said in a news release.
The Road Commission also recommended people not drive unless they have to, and advised:
Give our plowtrucks plenty of room: in these conditions especially, do not tailgate and do not pass on the right (in these conditions, the wing plow will be difficult to see)
Park in a driveway whenever possible. Vehicles parked on streets inhibit plow response and reduce service.
Drivers are "overdriving" for conditions – slow down if you have to be out today
Make sure to have an emergency kit in your vehicle if you must head out
KCRC offices are closed today and throughout the weekend (garages are open)
Call/text 911 in case of road emergency.
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