According to Michigan State Police, first responders are on the scene after reports of whiteout conditions prior to the crashes, which involved an estimated 50-100 vehicles in western Michigan.
The crash happened five miles east of Interstate 96 near Grand River and Portland Road in Portland, Ionia County, about 26 miles northwest of downtown Lansing, according to state police.
According to state police, injuries have been reported from the crashes, but authorities do not know how serious they are.
The Portland Area Fire Department took to its Facebook page around 4:40 p.m. Saturday evening to report multiple crashes.
“We are working on a 50+ vehicle accident on I96 from approximately 77mm to 72mm, stay off the highway,” fire officials wrote in a social media post.
Before 4 p.m. Saturday, a lake snow warning was in effect for parts of central, south-central, southwest and west-central Michigan until 2 a.m. Sunday, with snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and wind gusts of up to 35 mph. / hour was high. to the National Weather Service.
“Intermittent whiteout conditions of snow and sleet continue this evening. Radar and satellites show lake ‘cells’ of snow as steep velocities, high inversion height and March sun combine to bring snow ‘falls’ . The weather service wrote on Twitter just after 6 p.m
According to the weather service, inversion heights are a major regulator of snowpack intensity on the lake because they limit the depth of upwelling.
The weather service said in a tweet that “deeper upwelling will bring more precipitation (either rain or snow).”
Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Transportation reported the closure of the highway near exit 73, according to a tweet. Both westbound and eastbound I-96 will be affected. Authorities are asking drivers to avoid this section of the highway.
MSP announced on Twitter that a family warming and reunification center has been set up at Portland Church of the Nazarene at 9466 Cutler Road in Portland for those involved in the crash.
“Buses will be used to transport the involved parties. Family members can be picked up at that location after informing the soldiers,” said the MSP.
This is a developing story. Check back to detroitnews.com for updates.
Twitter: @wordsbyjakkar
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