I-80 near Snow Shoe reopens after hourslong closure following crash of 30+ vehicles

A 15-mile stretch of Interstate 80 near Snow Shoe was completely shut down for about five hours Tuesday after whiteout conditions led to multiple crashes involving more than 30 total vehicles, according to state police and public emergency services information.

Based on information provided by PennDOT, the interstate running eastbound and westbound between Kylertown/Philipsburg and Snow Shoe — Exits 133 and 147 — closed shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday. The roadway was entirely reopened by 1 p.m., a delay partly caused by area towing crews having to first remove all vehicles and hazards.

No serious injuries were believed to have occurred, state police at Rockview spokesman Jacob Rhymestine told the CDT.

According to both Rhymestine and Centre County 9-1-1, the crashes were due to snow. Around the time of the incidents, AccuWeather had forecast a “band of heavy snow” moving through the area that was set to reduce visibility to less than a mile. “Be prepared for snow or ice covered roads,” it warned.

Rhymestine said, based on preliminary reports, it appeared the snow and lack of visibility caused at least two chain reactions involving the crashes. There were crashes in both the eastbound and westbound lanes, he said.