March 29, 2024

Iowa officials: Snow plow operators in full force

DES MOINES (AP) — Iowa officials say snow plow operators will be out Friday morning continuing to clear roads affected by a major storm this week.

The state Department of Transportation says nearly 450 snow plows and other removal equipment is helping clear crash scenes and vehicles blocking roadways on the interstate system.

The agency says travel is not expected to significantly improve until later Friday.

At least 80 crashes were reported Thursday throughout the state. Officials also say drivers on a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 80 were stuck Thursday night. A 25-car pileup on Interstate 35 in northern Iowa killed two people and injured seven.

A major snow storm hit most of Iowa Wednesday night into Thursday. The National Weather Service says more than a foot of snow hit the Des Moines area.