IOWA, USA — Travel is not advised this morning across the Des Moines metro area and through parts of western Iowa, along I-80 towards Council Bluffs. Roads are reported as completely snow covered across much of the state.
Hundreds of snow plows are working throughout Iowa to clear interstates and state highways, but the ongoing light snow showers will make this process difficult.
Due to the poor road conditions, many school districts have either delayed classes, cancelled classes completely, or switched to a virtual learning day for students.
According to a report issued early Tuesday morning, the Iowa State Patrol says there have been 68 crashes covered, 66 reports of property damage, two personal injuries and over two hundred motorist assists calls all attributed to the storm.
The Des Moines Police Department has also responded to five crashes, two injuries, one hit-and-run crash and 18 stalled vehicles.
This winter storm is by far the biggest of the season for central Iowa, with parts of the Des Moines metro reporting over a foot of snow accumulation before the snow even finished falling.
Light snow showers can still be expected through Tuesday morning.
Drivers should avoid roads whenever possible. If travel is essential, commuters should reduce their speed, increase their following distance, and exercise extreme caution.
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