ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota State Patrol is urging drivers to stay off the roads until a winter storm passes after troopers responded to hundreds of crashes statewide on Sunday, including multiple jackknifed semi-trucks, as state and local agencies moved to expand emergency support during peak holiday travel.

In a Sunday evening update, a Minnesota State Patrol spokesperson said that between 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., law enforcement responded to 96 property damage crashes, 14 injury crashes, nine spinouts, 102 cars off the road, and nine jackknifed semi-trucks.

The State Patrol said troopers had been responding to crashes throughout the day. From the start of the day through 1:30 p.m., the State Patrol reported 179 property damage crashes, 12 injury crashes, five spinouts, 163 vehicles off the road, and seven jackknifed semi-trucks.

Because of the high volume of crashes already reported, the State Patrol requested that drivers cancel or at least delay travel plans until the winter storm has passed.

As conditions worsened, Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and authorized the National Guard to provide support for emergency storm operations. Walz signed the order Sunday, stating, “During a time of peak holiday travel, the winter weather moving across the state poses a major risk for anyone on the roads. As we work to alleviate the dangerous conditions, I’m grateful to the National Guard for stepping up to help drivers get home safely.”

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office requested the National Guard’s help with personnel, equipment, facilities and resources to assist stranded motorists and respond to severe weather.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) also issued a warning asking drivers to avoid state highways and Interstate 90 in south-central Minnesota, as well as state roads in southeast and southwest Minnesota.

Officials also reminded drivers that their city may declare a snow emergency, or may have a standing winter rule that determines where vehicles can be parked during severe weather.

Storm response operations remain ongoing as agencies continue working to address hazardous travel conditions until the winter system moves through.

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