GENESEE COUNTY, MI — Icy conditions, strong winds, and low visibility are causing havoc on Genesee County roads this morning.
Genesee County 911 reported a slew of accidents during the morning on Monday, Dec. 29 — 13 of them in just 59 minutes — and the National Weather Service issued a snow squall warning for parts of Genesee, Oakland, and Lapeer counties.
The squall warning is in place until 12:30 p.m. for central Genesee County, while a high wind alert remains in effect until 9 p.m.
Strong wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour also caused other hazards for drivers, including reports of a traffic light hung up in wires at South Saginaw and East Hill roads and arching or downed power lines at both North Elms and West Vienna roads and at South Saginaw Street and East Judd Road in Burton.
The NWS issued the squall warning after radar indicated gusty winds, blowing snow, and rapidly falling visibility in an area from near Capac to Lapeer to Beecher, moving southeast at 35 mph.
The warning noted the potential for continued dangerous travel on I-75 and I-69 in the area.
Today’s weather is part of a complex winter storm system whipping across Michigan, creating an intense mix of heavy snow, high winds, and icy conditions.
High wind gusts and mid-storm snowfall totals show some records being set, especially in the Upper Peninsula, where blizzard conditions are covering much of the area.
The storm has hours to go before the winds and snow diminish across the state later tonight.
The NWS high wind alert for Genesee County warns of the potential for southwest to west winds up to 35 mph and frequent gusts of up to 55 mph.
Winds are expected to topple tree limbs and power lines and travel is projected to be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
In less than an hour this morning in Genesee County, 9-1-1 reported 13 accidents, beginning at 10:07 a.m. with an accident near My Brother’s Keeper on Grand Traverse Street in Flint and ending at 11:06 a.m. at East Hill and South Belsay roads in Grand Blanc Township.
