LIVE UPDATES: Over 370 crashes, 400 vehicles off roads reported; National Guard opens armory to shelter motorists

KSTP

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UPDATE: The Minnesota State Patrol responded to 59 crashes and 153 vehicles off roadways from 9 p.m. on Wednesday until 6 a.m. on Thursday.

Eight jackknifed semis were also reported during the time frame.

The state patrol is also reminding drivers to be prepare as the road conditions are still dangerous and to have a winter travel survival kit along with other winter gear and clothing inside the vehicle.

UPDATE: The Minnesota State Patrol said troopers across the state responded to 125 crashes and 288 vehicles off roadways, plus 133 stalled vehicles, in a span of five hours Wednesday night.

Those numbers, which were from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., also included 11 jackknifed semis.

That moved the daily total for the State Patrol to 376 crash reports, 417 vehicles off roads/spinouts, 133 stalled vehicles and 30 jackknifed semis, across the state.

Crash on I-94 near Clearwater on Dec. 23.[Sgt. Jess Grabow/Minnesota State Patrol]

With dangerous road conditions and poor visibility in many parts of the state, the State Patrol was urging Minnesotans to stay home Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

The Minnesota National Guard has opened its armory in Olivia to provide shelter for stranded motorists Wednesday night.

The National Guard said the move was made after a request by the Renville County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities are asking people to stay home and avoid traveling if possible due to dangerous travel conditions across the state.

Highway 12 in western Minnesota from Benson to Murdock is closed due to crashes and terrible driving conditions.

Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow said the roadway is completely blocked with vehicles and law enforcement was working to rescue people in those vehicles.

Snow and strong winds reduced conditions to zero visibility.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is urging people to stay home and avoid traveling Wednesday night and Thursday morning due to dangerous road conditions in many areas of the state.

Interstate 94 has re-closed between Monticello and Rogers due to multiple spin-outs and crashes, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said at 6:40 p.m.

The news came just an hour after authorities reopened the section of the interstate following a crash earlier in the afternoon.

MnDOT is urging people to stay home and avoid traveling due to dangerous road conditions in many areas of the state.

Both directions of Interstate 94 have reopened from Monticello to Rogers. However, authorities are urging any travelers to drive slowly and be cautious as road conditions are still very difficult.

The roadway had closed earlier due to a crash.

Check road conditions at KSTP’s road map

As of 5:15 p.m., the Minnesota Department of Transportation says some plow drivers have been pulled off roads for safety in parts of the state.

Several rescue operations were also underway.

The road conditions are dangerous in many parts of the state, and "No Travel Advisories" have been issued in many parts of the state.

As of 4 p.m., the Minnesota State Patrol reported at least 251 crashes across the state and 129 vehicles that ran off the road. Additionally, 19 jackknifed semis were reported.

Several areas are under "No Travel Advisories" have been issued in many parts of the state due to dangerous driving conditions.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says "No Travel Advisories" have been expanded to Kandiyohi and Meeker counties due to whiteout conditions in many areas.

Multiple crashes have also been reported.

The snow and strong winds are creating dangerous travel conditions across the state, including in southwest Minnesota.

New Ulm Police say that all highways west and south of New Ulm are closed.

Eastbound I-94 from Monticello to Rogers is closed as of 2:28 p.m. due to a crash.

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The winter storm on Wednesday will impact travel for people who will be out and about with high winds, snow and ice causing whiteouts and slippery roads.

According to the National Weather Service, high winds are expected to be up to 60 mph in wind gusts causing snow to be blown and low visibility on the road.

Travel is not advised for western Minnesota as of 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

At 1 p.m. MnDOT gave a no travel advisory due to dangerous driving condition on state and federal highways in western Blue Earth, western Brown, western Faribault, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Nobles, Rock and Watonwan Counties.

Minnesota State Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow tweeted a video in western Minnesota of his vehicle going off-road into the median on Highway 10 between Moorhead and Glyndon.

He also said he just finished helping with a semi-truck that rear-ended a vehicle on Interstate 94 between Moorhead & Barnesville in whiteout conditions. No injuries were reported.

The conditions on the roads are also expected to become slick and icy due to the rain shower in the morning then the snow coming in afterward with freezing temperatures in the evening.

Road conditions in western Minnesota are deteriorating as the storm continues to move towards the metro and Wisconsin.

Snow emergencies have been declared already as of Wednesday afternoon. To see a full list, click here, and check your respective city government’s website for more information.

Check road conditions at KSTP’s road map