Several Crashes Due to Surprise Snowfall

The National Weather Service office in Lincoln agrees that the Effingham area received more snow this morning than was expected.

The area was supposed to receive, at most, a dusting of snow.  Unfortunately, the area received about a half-inch of snow accompanied by some sleet that led to very slick road conditions and a number of vehicle crashes.

One crash on the interstate at Effingham saw a semi run off the roadway with the cab coming apart from the trailer and both ending up in the median, as pictured below.

Thanks to 13-year old Olivia Marks for this photo of one of the many serious accidents around the area. Olivia was on her way to school with her mom when she took this.

The interstates through Effingham have been blocked or have seen one-lane travel off and on through the morning hours.  Two-lane roads have also seen vehicles off into the ditches and rollovers.

We took this shot off the Fourth Street overpass, showing the traffic on I-57/70 east and northbound at a standstill, while the west and southbound lanes were backed up due to numerous accidents east of Route 45.

This photo off the Fayette Avenue overpass shows the road conditions drivers on the interstates dealt with Thursday morning.

Rural roads weren't faring well either, and were completely covered by snow, as this shot on West Evergreen Drive near Nazarene Road shows.

The Weather Service said we aren't supposed to see more than snow flurries for the rest of the day. Forecast details are located here.