WILLMAR, Minn. (KMSP) -
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office is warning residents that all ramps and highways are currently impassable. Travel is not recommended in the Willmar area.
All highways were closed at 3 p.m. on Sunday as snow continued to fall. Most are lighted or marked as closed, but no indicators are present on Highway 71 north or Highway 23 East despite their closure.
Plows are being removed from the roads and will not return until 5 a.m.
MnDOT spokesman Kevin Gutknecht says the agency has pulled its plows off the roads in the Granite Falls, Madison, Marshall and Montevideo areas of southwestern Minnesota until conditions improve.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported about 300 crashes statewide from Saturday night through noon Sunday, with more than 30 involving injuries, but no fatalities. Lt. Eric Roeske also reports more than 300 spinouts or vehicles off the road.
CHIPPEWA COUNTY
The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to avoid driving for the remainder of the day because of dangerous weather conditions.
In a release from the Montevideo Police Department, officials explained that there is zero visibility and the highways are clogged with snow.
Minnesota Department of Transportation plows have stopped plowing for now.
Anyone who must travel is encouraged to bring a winter supply kit just in case because accident response from law enforcement or a towing company may be delayed.
