Officials: Hazardous road conditions continue to impact Tri-State

CINCINNATI — Gov. Mike DeWine announced four Ohioans have died and several others have been injured as a result of weather-related crashes.

"The road conditions continue to be very dangerous across the state, with white outs and extremely cold temperatures continuing," DeWine said in a statement. "Please continue to remain home if at all possible and be vigilant with these extremely dangerous road conditions."

Roads are snow- and ice-covered across the Tri-State after blizzard conditions dropped 2 to 5 inches of snow overnight Thursday into Friday. In a word, it's still rough in parts of the area.

Snow plows are out and about dropping salt to treat main roads and highways, but many side roads remain dangerous to navigate as pre-treatment wasn't possible due to the rain before it turned to snow Thursday night.

Multiple counties are under a snow emergency or travel advisory. You can check the full list here.

AAA Cincinnati said they responded to more than 642 calls for assistance since midnight Friday. More than 30% of calls were for a tow, 27% were because of the car's battery and another 20% were for extrication.

Here's a more specific look at ongoing issues:

A crash involved a SUV and truck has halted traffic along State Route 128 between New Haven Road and Willey Road. Hamilton County dispatch said the State Route will be shut down while they extract the truck that slid off the roadway.

Maddy Schmidt/WCPO

Cincinnati police also advised all drivers Saturday morning to avoid northbound I-75 at the I-74 exit to Mitchell Avenue due to dangerous road conditions.

KYTC reports I-71 North is closed in Gallatin for 12-18 hours due to "impassible roads." Southbound traffic is moving slowly in that area. Kentucky State Police said there is no timeline for when northbound lanes will "be passable again."

"Avoid this area," Gov. Andy Beshear said on social media. "Teams are working to find a route to divert traffic. Temperatures remain dangerously low, and we need to do everything possible to keep folks from being stuck in their vehicles. Stay safe."

In Grant County, I-75 was closed at Hwy 154 southbound and Hwy 146 northbound due to icy conditions.'

ODOT announced I-71 North was closed in Clinton County due to a crash as well.

Multiple semi trucks were stuck on southbound I-71 near the KY 562 overpass in Gallatin County. KYTC said just before 5 p.m. that northbound I-71 is no longer open at mile marker 63.

Multiple semis were previously stuck on I-71 North at the Glencoe exit in Gallatin County, Kentucky. Verona police said the backups started around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, and semis that had been sitting for 11 to 12 hours now have frozen brake lines.

Cincinnati police announced officers have shut down Reading Road in both directions due to hazardous road conditions. It is unclear where the closure starts.

Indiana State Police troopers were on the scene of a semi that is blocking all of the westbound lanes of I-74 in Ripley County. The road has since reopened. The crash was near the 156 mile marker between Batesville and St. Leon.

Indiana State Police

The southbound I-71 ramp at the I-75/I-75 split in Boone County, Kentucky was also shut down due to the backup on I-71 south caused by backups in Gallatin County. It has since reopened.

KYTC

Westbound Fort Washington Way was slow after a semi-truck caught fire. Lanes closed there have since reopened.

On top of the dangerous road conditions, temperatures are also unsafe. Friday morning wind chills are ranging between -20 to -35 degrees. Stay home if you can!

READ MORE:
Tri-State counties issue snow emergencies, advisories amid winter storm
Semi-truck catches fire along WB Fort Washington Way
Traveling during the winter storm? Here's what you need to know before hitting the road