DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- An intense snowstorm has forced the closure of part of Interstate 80 through Iowa, and snowplows have been pulled from a stretch of Interstate 35.
The Iowa Department of Transportation closed an 18-mile stretch of I-80 just east of Newton about 6 a.m. Wednesday.
The Transportation Department also stopped plowing more than 60 miles of Interstate 35 through central Iowa because the freeway was impassable due to blowing snow.
The Iowa State Patrol is advising people not to travel in much of southwest, central and northeast Iowa.
The agency asks motorists not to take unnecessary risks because rescue attempts would be extremely difficult.
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