Multiple people have been injured after more than 100 vehicles were involved in numerous collisions on the Ohio turnpike as the bomb cyclone continues to ravage the United States.
A massive pile-up occurred on the turnpike near Milepost 118 and Milepost 106 Friday afternoon when drivers hit the road for the Christmas break.
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Massive crash reported on Ohio Turnpike Friday afternoonCredit: Twitter/PugsPhD
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Several people were injured in the pileCredit: Twitter/mikewaldron115
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Ohio temperatures plummeted to below freezing on FridayCredit: Twitter/mikewaldron115
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Travel ban in place on Turnpike, Ohio due to lingering 'bomb cyclone' sweeping statewideCredit: Twitter/mikewaldron115
Photos from the scene showed several vehicles, including a tractor-trailer, crashing on the icy highway.
In one photo, it looked like a black pickup truck on top of a blue truck.
Ohio Highway Patrol said at least two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but several others are believed to have been injured.
The massive clashes came hours after state officials issued a complete ban on notable vehicles covering the entire 241-mile Ohio Turnpike because of a "bomb cyclone."
The ban on movement will be in effect at 6:00 am on Friday and will be in place until 8:00 am on Sunday.
Due to high winds and snow conditions across the Midwest, all high profile tow trailers, campers, boats and enclosed trailers were banned on the turnpike.
All mobile homes, office trailers and livestock trailers were also banned.
Long Combination Vehicles (LCV), including long double-trailer combinations over 90 feet in length, and all LCV triple-trailer combinations were also prohibited.
Authorities are beginning to close the turnpike's eastbound lane at Exit 91, diverting traffic from there.
It also closes at exit 110 to help first responders clear the pile.
An OSHP spokesperson told ABC 13, "This will continue for some time."
"There are many troopers and first responders working on this."
"Bomb Cyclone"
A "once in a generation" winter event hits more than 30 states across the United States with freezing temperatures, heavy snow and high winds.
The 'bomb cyclone' event is expected to continue until Christmas.
Power outages woke more than a million Americans Friday, grounding thousands of flights at multiple airports.
Officials in Texas and Kentucky have recorded at least four deaths in the extreme conditions.
The roads have seen drifts of over 10 feet in some areas.
Minnesota's National Weather Service said, "If you get stuck, this event could be life-threatening."
Severe weather has already put two-thirds of the country under extreme weather warnings.
President Joe Biden said Thursday, "This is not the snow days of my childhood.
He added: "This is serious."
The ban on movement will be in effect at 6:00 am on Friday and will be in place until 8:00 am on Sunday.
Due to high winds and snow conditions across the Midwest, all high profile tow trailers, campers, boats and enclosed trailers were banned on the turnpike.
All mobile homes, office trailers and livestock trailers were also banned.
Long Combination Vehicles (LCV), including long double-trailer combinations over 90 feet in length, and all LCV triple-trailer combinations were also prohibited.
Authorities are beginning to close the turnpike's eastbound lane at Exit 91, diverting traffic from there.
It also closes at exit 110 to help first responders clear the pile.
An OSHP spokesperson told ABC 13, "This will continue for some time."
"There are many troopers and first responders working on this."
President Joe Biden said Thursday, "This is not the snow days of my childhood.
He added: "This is serious."
