At least 15 vehicles were involved in a major pileup on Interstate 35 north of Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday morning, as dangerous winter weather conditions led to multiple crashes across the state.

Authorities shut down portions of at least two major interstates after heavy snowfall, strong winds, and near-zero visibility caused treacherous driving conditions.

Multiple Crashes Across Iowa

Two separate pileups occurred on different sections of I-35 north of Des Moines, including one in the afternoon that shut down northbound lanes near Ankeny. Earlier in the day, a major crash on I-80 westbound near Newton involved multiple trucks and passenger vehicles.

The Iowa State Patrol issued a strong warning to drivers, stating, “Vehicles are piling up, and visibility is nearly zero. We urge everyone: DO NOT TRAVEL unless absolutely necessary! Your life (and the lives of first responders) are being put at risk!”

At least 68 crashes were reported between 9 p.m. Tuesday and noon Wednesday, with nine people injured. No fatalities have been reported, but a state trooper’s vehicle was struck during the incidents.

Hazardous Blizzard Conditions

Winter Storm Lola brought winds exceeding 50 mph to Des Moines and Ames, worsening road conditions with heavy snow and ice. A blizzard warning remained in effect until 3 p.m. CST, making travel highly dangerous.

Video footage from the I-35 crash scene showed snow-covered roads and low visibility, similar to a deadly 2018 pileup in the same area that involved 70 vehicles.

Statewide Road Closures

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) reported that multiple roadways were closed, including sections of:

• Interstate 35 and Interstate 80
• Iowa Highways 44 and 141
• U.S. Highways 20, 6, and 59

By 11 a.m. EST, the DOT warned that travel was still not advised across much of Iowa, citing ice-covered and impassable roads.

This is a developing story—check back for updates as officials continue assessing road conditions and crash sites.