WATCH STORM COVERAGE:
A powerful winter storm is taking aim at West Michigan this weekend, bringing with it heavy snow, arctic air and strong winds.
A blizzard warning has been issued for areas across West Michigan.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center at 1 p.m. Friday in response to the dangerous weather conditions.
Watch: Semi jackknifes, slides off southbound US-131 before 142nd
The activation makes additional state resources available to support local communities.
“Our top priority right now is keeping Michiganders safe. I am grateful to our first responders, road maintenance crews, utility crews and volunteers at warming centers who are working hard to keep people safe and warm,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “By taking this next step to activate the State Emergency Operations Center, we are making sure that our response is coordinated and that resources are available to impacted communities. We will continue to work with local officials and are prepared to offer the full weight of state resources to respond to the storm.”
FOX 17 is here to help you keep track of road closures, power outages, flight delays, warming centers and plow routes, along with providing live weather coverage throughout the holiday weekend.
ROAD CLOSURES
This storm is already creating a mess on the roads.
Just before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Michigan State Police announced M-40 at M-89 to I-196 in Holland will be shut down until the dangerous weather subsides.
Friday afternoon, Michigan State Police are asking drivers to stay off I-94 in both directions between New Buffalo in Berrien County and Battle Creek in Calhoun County until 4 p.m. Friday or later.
MDOT reported at 3:40 p.m. that eastbound I-196 at 32nd Avenue, exit 62, in Ottawa County is closed due to a crash.
Allegan County deputies announced just before 3 p.m. that northbound US-131 between exit 64 (Wayland) and exit 72 (100th St.) will be shut down after several crashes.
The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy’s patrol vehicle was hit by a semi that lost control during one of the crashes.
The sheriff’s office says no one was injured and crews are working to get the freeway reopened.
Around 2:40 p.m., Michigan State Police reported northbound I-196 at mile marker 24 in Allegan County was closed due to a jackknifed semi.
The Michigan Department of Transportation reported northbound US-131 at 22 Mile Road, exit 110, in Montcalm County was closed around 2:15 p.m. Friday due to a crash.
Michigan State Police reported shutdowns on I-94 Friday morning after a number of crashes in Van Buren and Berrien counties.
One of the crashes involved nine semis, another involved a patrol vehicle being hit, and most recently MSP reported a 7-car pileup.
Michigan State Police posted video of the crash involving nine semis in Watervliet Township in Berrien County.
Michigan State Police troopers in Grand Rapids reported a head-on crash on M-57 near Shaner involving a semi and a postal vehicle just after 12:30 p.m. The driver of the postal truck was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
In Berrien County, eastbound I-94 after Red Arrow, mile marker #23, was closed down after a firefighter was hit while conducting traffic control.
Michigan State Police announced northbound US-131 was closed at 100th due to a 10-12 car crash. The road reopened shortly before 2:30 p.m.
Here’s the messy slide-off situation currently closing down a stretch of US-131 NB near Tanger Outlets pic.twitter.com/b6i0irxFcD
— Doug Reardon (@ReardonReports) December 23, 2022
Michigan State Police say the crash started with two vehicles, followed by eight more, one of which hit a fire truck on scene. Michigan State Police say only minor injuries were reported but roads are icy right now with occasional whiteout conditions.
But these dangerous travel conditions won't stop Santa and his sleigh on Christmas Eve.
FOX 17’s Max Goldwasser talked with Santa on Friday to confirm that the snowstorm hasn’t grounded his reindeer.
Watch our full interview with Santa below:
POWER OUTAGES:
Heavy snow and wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm system, which could lead to power outages across West Michigan.
You can use the Consumers Outage map to get information on the number of outages across the state and when power is expected to be restored.
Not a Consumers Energy customer? You can find outage information for the entire United States here.
TRACKING SNOW PLOWS:
Road commission crews are working hard to keep roads as clear as they can as this storm moves through the state.
The Cass County Road Commission has made the decision to pull all of its plows from the roads until Saturday.
The Kent County Road Commision will continue their efforts to make roads passable, especially on freeways. They hope to be able to fully treat the roads starting Sunday,
The Ottawa County Road Commission will be doing their best to deal with the roads. They're asking you not to travel if you don't need to.
The Michigan Department of Transportation’s MiDrive map lets you track snowplowsin real time.
If you see a plow out on the road, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Don’t crowd the plow – maintain a safe distance from the plow as the trucks are large and operators can’t see directly behind it.
- Slow down – Snow plows travel at slower speeds!
- Don’t pass plows on the right – Snowplows often push snow to the right shoulder using a wing plow, which is a 6-8 foot extension on the right-hand side of the plow.
- Don’t pass in a snow cloud – Make sure the road ahead of you is clear before attempting to pass on the left.
- Plows don’t just plow – Plow trucks also spread salt and deicing agents that could spray your car.
- Don’t stand close to the road when plows are nearby – Plows can throw large chunks of ice and snow as they pass and the flying debris could hurt you.
FLIGHT DELAYS:
The winter storm is expected to impact flights across the country this weekend.
You can keep up with delayed and canceled flights coming into and going out of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport with this online flight tracker.
ClOSINGS AND DELAYS:
A number of schools and businesses are closed and many events have been canceled.
The Rapid announced it was suspending all services at 7 p.m. Friday due to the dangerous conditions.
Holland Hospital announced it would close a number of services for this weekend, such as it's outpatient behavioral health services, physical therapy and rehab services, and lab services at multiple locations. You can find a full list of Holland Hospital closures on its website.
For a full list of closings and delays, check out the FOX 17 closings page.
WARMING CENTERS:
The Kent County Sheriff's Office released a list of warming centers for those looking for a safe and warm place to go.
Below is a list of warming centers and the days they will be available:
- ALANO CLUB OF KENT COUNTY – 1020 College Ave NE – 616-456-5709
Daily 7:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. Open during the Holiday
- DEGAGE MINISTRIES – 139 Sheldon SE – 616-454-1661
Daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (Women’s overnight intake starts at 3 p.m. each day) Open during the Holiday
- EXODUS PLACE – 322 Front Ave SW – 616-242-9130
Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. (men only) Open during the Holiday
- GOD’S KITCHEN – 303 S. Division Ave – 616-224-0217
12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. Mon-Sat Closed on Sunday
- HEARTSIDE MINISTRY – 200 S. Division Ave – 616-235-7211
Daily, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Open during the Holiday
- MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES – 225 Commerce Ave SW – 616-454-8249
All Shelter is open daily 4 p.m. – 7 a.m. (Families, Men, Women, Transgender) Open during Holiday
TRACKING SANTA:
With the storm happening over the holiday weekend, you may have kids worried Santa won't be able to navigate through the snow to deliver presents on Christmas Eve.
You can keep your kids calm and show them Santa is still on his way using the NORAD Santa Tracker.
STORM DETAILS:
Be sure to download the FOX 17 weather app to get the latest details on when and where the storm will strike.
