All northbound lanes of Interstate 55 near Exit 271 (MS-306) in DeSoto County were shut down after an 18-wheeler crash amid dangerous conditions brought on by the winter storm, according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
MDOT officials said the wreck left the highway completely blocked, forcing emergency crews to close the interstate while they work to clear the scene and assess roadway safety. Drivers are being urged to limit travel to emergencies only as ice, sleet and freezing rain continue to make roadways hazardous across North Mississippi.
This winter storm has already produced widespread icing, with road surfaces turning slick and visibility reduced by freezing precipitation. The storm has also caused numerous crashes, road closures and power outages across the region as sub-freezing temperatures persist…