HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) – I-196 in the Hudsonville and Zeeland areas reopened at 6 p.m. Monday morning amid heavy snow and wind after being closed for most of the day due to a pile-up involving more than 100 vehicles, including dozens of semitrailers, authorities said.
The highway was closed for nearly eight hours between Exit 62 to Hudsonville and Exit 55 to Zeeland, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. The incident began around 10:20 a.m.
Arctic air, lake effect snow to hit West Michigan
“Deputies were dispatched after multiple reports of multiple crashes and slides in the area,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. “The incident also included several broken-down semi-trucks.”
As of 2 p.m., all those injured in the accident, about 9 to 12 people, had been taken to hospitals, authorities said in a news release. No deaths were reported.
PHOTOS: Hudsonville-area pileup involving more than 100 vehicles
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On January 19, 2026, a pileup involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 196 between Hudsonville and Zeeland.
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On January 19, 2026, a pileup involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 196 between Hudsonville and Zeeland.
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On January 19, 2026, a pileup involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 196 between Hudsonville and Zeeland.
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Tow truck on I-196 at 32nd Avenue on January 19, 2026.
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Traffic on Interstate 196 at 32nd Avenue on January 19, 2026.
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Traffic on Interstate 196 at 22nd Avenue on January 19, 2026.
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A pileup involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 196 in Hudsonville. (Courtesy of Mark Gillison)
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A pileup involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 196 in Hudsonville. (Courtesy of Mark Gillison)
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A pileup involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 196 in Hudsonville. (Courtesy of Mark Gillison)
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Authorities used buses to transport dozens of stranded drivers to Hudsonville High School, where they could hail rides, reconnect with family members and warm up.
The high school’s parking lot was used as a place to park damaged vehicles while their owners arranged for repairs.
“We encourage motorists to avoid this stretch of road (I-196) and avoid travel altogether unless necessary,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
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Drivers stranded in a pileup on Interstate 196 reunited with their families at Hudsonville High School on Jan. 19, 2026, to escape the cold.
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Drivers stranded in a pileup on Interstate 196 reunited with their families at Hudsonville High School on Jan. 19, 2026, to escape the cold.
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Hudsonville High School is preparing to accept stranded drivers on January 19, 2026.
15 cars piled up NB US-131 closed
The northbound lanes of US-131 West Main and US-131 Business Loop have reopened after a series of crashes throughout much of the day Monday, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office reported.
About 15 vehicles were involved in the crash, including several semi-trucks that were mangled and became tangled in guardrails.
During the crash, US-131 in Allegan and Kalamazoo counties was choked with trucks moving slowly, blowing and plowing snow.
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Multiple semitrailers and other vehicles collided on northbound US-131 at West Main amid heavy snow and icy conditions, prompting authorities to close the roadway. (Courtesy of KCSO)
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Multiple semitrailers and other vehicles collided on northbound US-131 at West Main amid heavy snow and icy conditions, prompting authorities to close the roadway. (Courtesy of KCSO)
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Multiple semitrailers and other vehicles collided on northbound US-131 at West Main amid heavy snow and icy conditions, prompting authorities to close the roadway. (Courtesy of KCSO)
After a day of hiking north of Grand Rapids, Ben Regoso was driving to Berrien Springs. After driving north on Sunday, he said the risk level was about the same heading south.
“The driving is still a little shaky, but you know, there’s some whiteout conditions. We’re slowing down and we just want to make sure we get home,” Regoso said.
It was getting late and about a dozen semi-trucks were parked at the Alamo rest stop in Kalamazoo County along State Road 131. Many drivers opted to stay put, hoping the morning would bring better weather. Truck driver Tom Miller said he arrived at the overpass just minutes after the major accident on US-131. He said he had to wait four hours because traffic was paralyzed.
“Some of us, some of them were able to get support and get to the commercial loop there and get around it. But my truck was so heavy that I couldn’t get any traction to get up that hill to back up,” he said.
Low visibility and wind are among the major concerns.
“People see us driving nice and slow, like I’m running with an empty trailer, ready to load something on a slick road, and then a gust of wind comes up and I pull into the other lane,” Miller said.
After two years on the job, his reminder to other drivers is simple.
“Everybody keep their distance, keep their distance from each other, leave an hour early and try to stay as far away from these trucks as possible,” he told News 8.
Crashed all morning
The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids issued a warning to drivers, saying “travel is not recommended near and west of US-131” until Monday afternoon. Crash reports were reported throughout the day, resulting in single lane and entire road closures.
On January 19, 2026, it snowed in Grand Rapids.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories Valid until 7am Tuesday. The heaviest snowfall is expected to continue into Monday morning, with amounts gradually tapering off thereafter. The most persistent snow will occur along and west of US-131. Wind gusts exceeding 30 mph will produce significant blowing and drift, resulting in reduced visibility and sometimes blackout conditions.
“This morning, Michigan Department of Transportation webcams captured massive whiteouts on major interstates and highways.” The National Weather Service writes Around 5:20 a.m. “Winds will pick up this morning and daytime risks will increase.”
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With temperatures hovering in the teens and continuing to drop, highway crews are being forced to change tactics. In extremely cold weather, salt is less effective, so crews mix in sand to provide traction.
“Sand becomes the majority of the mix. It’s almost all sand with some liquid to cut it,” Steve Roon, maintenance supervisor for the Kent County Road Commission, told News 8. “We’ll probably use 1,000 pounds of sand per centerline mile so we can provide as much traction as possible on the road surface.”
The Kent County Road Commission said restoration of major state and county roads will continue Monday to ensure they are passable. Crews will access local roads if conditions allow.
If you’re heading out, the Road Commission urges you to slow down, keep your headlights on and give forklifts plenty of room.
closures and delays
Most schools in West Michigan are closed Monday. Many stores are closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day, while others are calling it a snow day. For a complete list of closures, Click here.
— News 8’s David Horak contributed to this report.
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