DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa’s News Now) — Iowa officials say travel is not advised on ALL state roads north of Highway 30 due to blizzard conditions. The northeast portion of the state is where concern is greatest.
The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa State Patrol says roads will likely be impassable due to the rain, freezing pavements, heavy snow, and blizzard/whiteout conditions.
- I-35 will be closed on all lanes in both directions from U.S. 30 at Ames north to the Minnesota state line starting at 3 p.m. due to high winds and whiteout conditions.
- Iowa DOT will close the IA 415 / Saylorville Mile Long Bridge in Polk County at 2 p.m. due to high winds.
- Iowa officials are also working closely with Minnesota and South Dakota officials, as closures and advisories in those states can impact travel to and from Iowa.
High-profile vehicles such as trucks, trailers, and recreational vehicles should use extreme caution while driving in high winds. Drivers should reduce speed, increase following distances, and consider delaying travel. High winds will be impactful across the state, regardless of whether there is precipitation.
Iowa residents are encouraged to stay home and delay travel until roads reopen and it is safe to travel. Motorists traveling through Iowa on I-35 are advised to seek shelter and traveler services such as food, lodging, and fuel in the Ames and Clear Lake / Mason City areas.
For those sheltering near Ames, the Story County Emergency Management Agency maintains a list of hotels, a Red Cross shelter site, and other information on its Facebook page. Travelers and truckers on I-35 are also encouraged to seek out shelter and parking in the greater Des Moines area as facilities near Ames can fill up quickly.
Iowa DOT and ISP do not advise travelers to seek alternate non-freeway routes, as these are also likely to be hazardous and have very limited access to shelter and traveler services. Travelers should seek shelter and services in larger cities such as Clear Lake / Mason City, Ames, Des Moines, and Sioux City.
The closure will continue until conditions improve, with no specific target time. Even as conditions improve, Iowa DOT crews will need time to remove snow and ice, and law enforcement may need to remove stranded vehicles, to allow for safe travel.
Conditions across Iowa continue to be challenging for travel on all roadways. Drivers are encouraged to avoid unnecessary trips.
Check Iowa 511 for roadway conditions. Visit511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or X (find links athttps://iowadot.gov/travel-tools/iowa-511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.
