Snow causes 15-vehicle crash in southeast Missouri

(AP) – A 15-vehicle crash has blocked a section of Interstate 55 in southeastern Missouri as snow from a massive winter storm swept through the area and slicked roads.

The Missouri Department of Transportation issued the news of the pileup near Ste. Genevieve on its Twitter page around 4 p.m. Saturday. The department says the interstate was blocked because of the crash, which included a responding firetruck. Motorists were urged to find an alternate route. There was no immediate word on injuries.

One lane of southbound I-55 in Ste. Genevieve County is now open. Both lanes are expect to reopen within the next couple hours. pic.twitter.com/29CeqGA90r

— MSHP Troop C (@MSHPTrooperC) January 19, 2019

Transportation officials said crews hoped to clear the interstate’s lanes within a few hours, but said snowfall was slowing that work.

Officials say many roads in Missouri have been slicked over with ice from rain earlier in the day before conditions turned to snow and plummeting temperatures.

Sign up for email news alerts by clicking here