Emergency crews are working to clear dozens of vehicles following Monday morning's massive pileup in western Michigan. The initial crash occurred at 10:19 a.m. CT and the interstate remains closed nearly four hours later.
Captain Jake Sparks of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says nearly a dozen people were injured and are being treated at area hospitals at this time.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police are now working quickly to clear the highway so that it can reopen.
There is no estimate on when the highway will reopen, but FOX Weather was told it would take several hours before the interstate could safely be reopened.
Analysis from the FOX Forecast Center reveals just how challenging driving conditions were at the time of Monday morning's multi-car pileup in western Michigan.
Nearby weather observation sites reported visibilities under 1/2 mile along Interstate 196 at the time of the initial crash, which the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says was around 10:19 a.m. CT.
The limited visibility, a result of heavy lake-effect snow, was likely a factor in the 100+ vehicle pileup.
That snow was also being blown around by 20-30 mph winds, creating whiteout conditions for drivers in the area.
{{#rendered}}The FOX Forecast Center says heavy lake-effect snow was falling in western Michigan where a 100+ vehicle pileup occurred on Monday morning.
Radar images show lake-effect snow bands coming off of Lake Michigan at the time of the initial crash. Visibility was reported to be around 1/4 of a mile when the first 911 call came in.
Emergency crews have shut down a 6-mile stretch of Interstate 196 near Zeeland Township, MI following Monday morning's 100+ vehicle pileup.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says the interstate is expected to remain closed for several hours as crews work to treat injured drivers and clear the vehicles.
{{#rendered}}Emergency crews are responding to multiple crashes near Grand Rapids, MI right now. The Michigan Department of Transportation map shows multiple incidents on nearby highways and interstates.
A Michigan Department of Transportation traffic camera shows snow falling and reduced visibility along Interstate 196 on Monday afternoon near Zeeland Township, MI.
{{#rendered}}According to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, stranded drivers involved in the crash should remain inside their vehicles until they are able to board a bus for transport.
Stranded drivers will be transported to Hudsonville High School when safe to do so.
The FOX Forecast Center says heavy snow was falling along Interstate I-96 at the time of the initial crash on Monday morning. Temperatures were hovering in the low teens with visibility near 1/4 of a mile.
{{#rendered}}The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is working with area ambulance and fire services to treat "multiple injuries" and transport them to nearby hospitals.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is actively working a multi-car pileup on Interstate 196 near 64th Avenue in Zeeland Township. The incident began at approximately 10:19 am CT on Monday morning. Deputies were dispatched after receiving multiple reports of numerous crashes and slide-offs in the area. This incident also includes several jack-knifed semi-trucks.
{{#rendered}}Coverage for this event has ended.