Now we have tragic information right this moment out of Illinois, the place a large mud storm led to a serious multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 55 south of the state’s capital metropolis of Springfield. As many as 80 autos are estimated to be concerned, although the state of affairs continues to be being assessed by the Illinois State Police (ISP). Sadly, dozens of accidents and a number of fatalities have been reported.
In line with a briefing from the ISP, the first accident occurred at roughly 10:55 AM CDT on I-55 north at mile marker 76, nearly midway between Springfield and St Louis, Missouri. We are saying main as a result of quite a few crashes have been reported alongside I-55 in south-central Illinois the place robust winds and have generated large mud storms. The video on the prime of this text from Fox 32 Chicago exhibits near-zero visibility on the freeway, with mud accumulating on automobiles. The video under (additionally from Fox 32) exhibits the identical space with skies considerably clearer, revealing the extent of the injury.
The ISP at present experiences roughly 20 industrial autos and between 40 to 60 passenger automobiles have been concerned within the main collision. Two semi-trucks caught hearth; over 30 individuals have been taken to hospitals with accidents. There is not an estimate on the variety of fatalities at the moment. Thankfully, the fires have been extinguished earlier than winds may unfold the flames additional. First responders from over 30 businesses arrived on the scene to supply help.
Different accidents within the space have occurred, resulting in the whole closure of I-55 North and South. The unique closure stretched from mile markers 52 to 80. Presently, the freeway stays closed from markers 63 to 80 and is predicted to remain closed no less than via Tuesday morning. Chatting with Fox Climate, one driver likened the state of affairs to the mud bowl period of America within the Nineteen Thirties.
This explicit stretch of I-55 runs via a really flat portion of the state, surrounded by farmland. In line with NBC 5 Chicago, such storms aren’t unusual within the space, particularly within the spring when fields are freshly tilled. The Nationwide Climate Service has issued a blowing mud warning for the world till 7:00 PM CDT as a result of dry situations and winds that might gust over 45 mph.
