(Des Moines, IA) – [KCCI/Iowa DOT] –  As severe winter weather rolled across the state Sunday, authorities shut down one of the busiest roadways to keep drivers safe. As of 3:10-a.m. Monday (Today), the Iowa Department of Transportation’s 511ia.org website indicated Interstate 35 between US Highway 30 (near Ames) and the Minnesota Border (23 miles north of the Clear Lake area), is blocked due to a winter storm..

The DOT and the Iowa State Patrol urged drivers to not seek alternate routes north because conditions on side highways are just as bad. Some counties in the northern part of the State are also under a tow ban. The Iowa Falls Times-Citizen is reporting that motels in that area are full. The Iowa Falls Fire Station on South River Street were set up as an emergency shelter for stranded motorists.

The Iowa State Patrol responded to 31 crashes between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday. Of those crashes, 22 resulted in property damage only and eight included injuries. One crash was fatal. The ISP also responded to 127 motorist assist calls during that time frame. The largest crash the ISP responded to on Sunday afternoon was a 14-vehicle crash on Interstate 35. The high winds and blowing snow reduced visibility to zero at that time. Officials with the Iowa DOT said people were driving too fast for conditions, and not heeding heeding warnings to slow down and stay if possible.

Interstate 29 was closed in both directions for several hours, Sunday, between Onawa and Sloan, due to a multi-vehicle pile-up. According to the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office Facebook, there were two accidents on I-29 near the Woodbury and Monona County line involving multiple vehicles. Part of I-80 between Cass and Pottawattamie County were partially blocked Sunday morning, due to crashes involving semis and other vehicles. Minor injuries were reported in some of those accidents.

A blizzard warning remains in effect until 9-a.m. today (Monday) for 20 counties in mainly northern and parts of northwest Iowa.