More than 200 crashes reported as Iowa digs out from heavy snowfall

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Iowa saw more than 200 crashes on state highways from Nov. 27 through Nov. 30 as a powerful round of snow and ice created dangerous travel conditions across the state, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Eight of those crashes involved snowplows.

The wave of wrecks came as crews worked long hours to clear roads following heavy snowfall that dumped almost 11 inches in Des Moines. Des Moines Public Works said Monday it has now finished plowing residential streets.

Tow truck drivers have also been busy responding to stranded motorists. Andy Deboard of Perry’s Service & Towing said calls spiked immediately after the tow ban lifted Sunday.

“Opened at 7. Phone started ringing. I had three calls within the first 15 seconds,” Deboard said.

He said the combination of holiday travel and deep snow left many drivers unprepared.

“We were just hit with, you know, 10, 12 inches right off the bat and it threw a lot of people a curveball they weren’t expecting,” he said.

Deboard added that dangerous conditions extend beyond plow operators to the tow crews working beside busy roads.

“That’s the most dangerous part of our job is working along the roadside,” he said. “Any time you see flashing lights, whether it be a snowplow, police car or fire truck, tow truck, it doesn’t matter what color those lights are. Pay attention. Slow down. Give them space.”

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