Winter Weather — Southwestern Yellowstone, Montana

2021-02-27 · Southwestern Yellowstone, Montana

Event narrative

A heavy snow shower occurred late morning on the 27th. This resulted in bridges and overpasses becoming quickly snow covered. As a result, a multi-vehicle pileup occurred on Interstate 90 just east of Billings. The crash involved approximately 30 vehicles on the bridge crossing the Yellowstone River near mile marker 452. The wreck occurred in the west bound lane, with damaged cars, trucks and SUVs spanning almost half of the bridge. Traffic was backed up for several miles in both directions. I-90 from the South 27th Street entrance to the I-94 split near Johnson Lane was closed for nearly three hours while crews cleared the bridge of wrecked vehicles. Four people were taken to the hospital. Two people were transported off the bridge while two others fell about 100 feet off the bridge.

The severity of the wreck led AMR to enact their mass casualty plan, calling in 30 off-duty paramedics. Some people were trapped in their vehicles and a few had to be extricated with the Jaws of Life. Multiple buses transported the stranded travelers off of the bridge with some being taken to the MetraPark.

Wider weather episode

A heavy snow shower occurred late morning on the 27th. This resulted in bridges and overpasses becoming quickly snow covered. As a result, a multi-vehicle pileup occurred on Interstate 90 just east of Billings. The crash involved approximately 30 vehicles on the bridge crossing the Yellowstone River near mile marker 452. The wreck occurred in the west bound lane, with damaged cars, trucks and SUVs spanning almost half of the bridge. Traffic was backed up for several miles in both directions. I-90 from the South 27th Street entrance to the I-94 split near Johnson Lane was closed for nearly three hours while crews cleared the bridge of wrecked vehicles. Four people were taken to the hospital. Two people were transported off the bridge while two others fell about 100 feet off the bridge. The severity of the wreck led AMR to enact their mass casualty plan, calling in 30 off-duty paramedics. Some people were trapped in their vehicles and a few had to be extricated with the Jaws of Life. Multiple buses transported the stranded travelers off of the bridge with some being taken to the MetraPark.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 944389. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.