HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) – I-196 in the Hudsonville and Zeeland area reopened just after 6 p.m. after being closed for much of the day following a pileup involving more than 100 cars, including dozens of semis, officials said, amid heavy snow and windy conditions Monday morning.
The highway was closed for about eight hours from exits 62 to Hudsonville and 55 to Zeeland, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. The accidents started around 10:20 am
Arctic winds, lake-effect snow hit West Michigan
“Deputies were dispatched after receiving multiple reports of crashes and slide-offs in the area,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “The incident also involved several jack-knifed semi-trucks.”
All those injured in the crash, about nine to 12 people, were taken to the hospital by 2 p.m., officials said in a statement. No deaths have been reported.
PHOTOS: More than 100 cars involved in Hudsonville-area pileup
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Vehicles involved in a pileup of more than 100 cars on I-196 between Hudsonville and Zeeland on January 19, 2026.
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Vehicles involved in a pileup of more than 100 cars on I-196 between Hudsonville and Zeeland on January 19, 2026.
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Vehicles involved in a pileup of more than 100 cars on I-196 between Hudsonville and Zeeland on January 19, 2026.
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Tow trucks on I-196 at 32nd Avenue on January 19, 2026.
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Traffic on I-196 at 32nd Avenue on January 19, 2026.
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Traffic on I-196 at 22nd Avenue on January 19, 2026.
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A pileup of over 100 vehicles on I-196 in Hudsonville. (Courtesy Mark Gillison)
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A pileup of over 100 vehicles on I-196 in Hudsonville. (Courtesy Mark Gillison)
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A pileup of over 100 vehicles on I-196 in Hudsonville. (Courtesy Mark Gillison)
Inside woodtv.com: Live traffic conditions
Authorities used buses to take a few dozen stranded drivers to Hudsonville High School where they were able to call for rides, reconnect with family members and warm up.
The high school parking lot is being used as a drop off lot for damaged vehicles while the owners arrange for repairs.
“Motorists are encouraged to avoid this stretch of (I-196) and avoid travel completely unless absolutely necessary,” the sheriff’s office said.
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Drivers stranded in the I-196 pileup are reunited with family members and escape the cold at Hudsonville High School on Jan. 19, 2026.
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Drivers stranded in the I-196 pileup are reunited with family members and escape the cold at Hudsonville High School on Jan. 19, 2026.
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Hudsonville High School is preparing to receive stranded drivers on January 19, 2026.
15-car pileup closes NB US-131
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office has reopened the northbound lanes of US-131 at West Main and the US-131 Business Loop after a series of car crashes closed it for most of the day Monday.
About 15 vehicles were involved in the crash, including several jackknifed semi-trucks that were stuck in the guardrail.
Between the crashes, US-131 in Allegan and Kalamazoo counties was filled with slow driving, snow blowers and plow trucks.
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Several semis and other vehicles crashed along northbound US-131 in western Maine amid snow and ice conditions, forcing authorities to close it. (Courtesy KCSO)
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Several semis and other vehicles crashed along northbound US-131 in western Maine amid snow and ice conditions, forcing authorities to close it. (Courtesy KCSO)
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Several semis and other vehicles crashed along northbound US-131 in western Maine amid snow and ice conditions, forcing authorities to close it. (Courtesy KCSO)
Ben Regoso was driving to Berrien Springs after a day of hiking north of Grand Rapids. After traveling to the north on Sunday, he said that traveling to the south is equally dangerous.
“The driving was still good but you know, there are some whiteout conditions. We’re taking it slow and we want to make sure we get home,” Regoso said.
As day turned to night, about a dozen semi trucks stopped at the Alamo rest stop on US-131 in Kalamazoo County. Many drivers chose to stay in the hope that the morning would bring better weather. Truck driver Tom Miller said he arrived at the interchange minutes after the massive crash on US-131. He said that he had to wait for four hours because the traffic was stopped.
“Some of us, some of us were able to back up and get up on the business loop there and go around. But my truck was too heavy and I couldn’t get any traction to go back up that hill,” he said.
Low visibility and wind are among the major concerns.
“People see us going nice and slow and it’s like when I’m running on an empty trailer when there’s a gust of wind going to pick up the load on these cold roads and I go into the other lane.” Miller said.
Working for two years, his reminder to other drivers is simple.
“Everybody keep your distance, keep away from each other, leave an hour early, and try to stay away from these trucks,” he told News 8.
Crash all morning
The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids issued a warning to drivers Monday afternoon saying “travel is not recommended” near and west of US-131. Accidents have been reported throughout the day, with single lanes and entire roads closed.
Snow conditions in Grand Rapids on January 19, 2026.
Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories Effective until 7 a.m. Tuesday. The heaviest snow is expected to fall by Monday morning, after which rates will gradually taper off. Snow will be most persistent along and west of US-131. Winds above 30 mph will create considerable blowing and drifting, resulting in reduced visibility and, at times, whiteout conditions.
“Several whiteouts are being captured on (Michigan Department of Transportation) webcams on major interstates and highways this morning,” The NWS wrote 5:20 a.m. “Winds pick up this morning and the risk of whiteouts increases.”
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As temperatures rise and fall steadily in the teenage years, road crews are forced to change their tactics. Salt is less effective during extreme cold, so crews are mixing it in with sand to provide traction.
“Sand becomes the primary component of that mix. It’s almost all sand with cutting fluids,” Kent County Road Commission director of maintenance Steve Roon told News 8.
The Kent County Road Commission will return Monday to ensure state and county primary roads are passable. As conditions permit, teams will move onto local roads.
If you’re going out, the Roads Commission urges you to slow down, keep your headlights on and give plow trucks plenty of room.
Closures and delays
Most West Michigan schools are closed Monday. Many had already closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, while others called for a snow day. For a complete list of closures, Click here.
– News 8’s David Horak contributed to this report.
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