North Dakota I-94 Closed, Reports of 100-car Pileup

Blizzard conditions have put a halt to drivers on I-94 as the interstate is closed from Jamestown to West Fargo. A no-travel advisory has been issued by the North Dakota Department of Transportation for the entire eastern third of the state and south of I-94 from Mott to the eastern border.

100-Car Pileup on I-94?

My boyfriend Ray Dawkins was on his way from our home in Hope to West Fargo to pick up his medications. He called periodically to report zero visibility and icy road conditions. Around 1 p.m., he called to tell me traffic was being diverted off Interstate 94 at the Mapleton exit.

"Highway patrol actually detoured us off the interstate, but there were Cass County Sheriff vehicles all over the place," Dawkins reported. "Casselton Fire Department was out, parked along the side of the interstate to assist, along with North Dakota Department of Transportation vehicles. There were emergency vehicles everywhere."

He said the reason for the diversion was a 100-car pileup on Interstate 94, according to the highway patrol officer. InForum.com, a Fargo newspaper website, reports that the eastbound lane of I-94 from Mapleton to Raymond was temporarily closed due to a traffic accident involving "maybe 100" vehicles, according to a ND DOT official.

North Dakota Highway Patrol Sgt. Dave Wolf told InForum.com that the accident scene is about a quarter-mile long.

Traffic was detoured onto 12th Avenue, which goes straight into Fargo from Mapleton.

"But even that road was horrible," Dawkins said. "I was following a semi. I was only about 10 feet behind him and I lost his taillights several times. I couldn't slow down because I needed his guidance, so I just kept the car in line with the top of his truck until we got into Fargo."

Other area accidents

According to the ND DOT website, there was an accident on Interstate 29 north of Buxton. No details were released except that the southbound lanes were blocked. Traffic is being turned around at the Buxton exit 118.

Visibility reduced to zero

Driving to Hope from Cooperstown, I can attest to experiencing zero visibility in areas. In the 25-mile drive in a no-travel advised area, there were times I couldn't see the road right in front of me due to blowing snow. Wind speeds of 35 miles per hour were reported by Weather.com, and even harder wind gusts rocked the pickup I was driving.

Drivers stranded everywhere

Dawkins reported further that there were several cars in the breakdown lane on Interstate 94:

"I called 911 three times for stranded drivers when I could tell there were people in the car."

With temperatures hovering at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and windchills at -18, it's too dangerous for travelers to remain in their vehicles.

Official travel and weather reports

As of 3 p.m., NDDOT is confirming that I-94 from Jamestown to West Fargo is closed due to near-zero visibility. According to the 511 recording, "glare ice conditions and the lack of visibility is causing life-threatening conditions to travelers."

According to North Dakota Weather Service, a blizzard warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. Friday.

Sources:

"UPDATED: Official says 'maybe 100' cars and trucks involved in accident that forces temporary closure of I-94 eastbound lanes between Mapleton and Raymond", InForum.com

"North Dakota Travel Information Map", nddot.com

Weather.com