Dust Storm Closes Central IL Highway

CARLINVILLE, Ill. (AP) — An unusual dust storm forced authorities to shut down a five-mile stretch of a central Illinois highway because of low visibility.

 

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports Friday’s dust storm near Carlinville caused several car crashes on Illinois 108. Drivers said they couldn’t see beyond their cars’ hoods.

The road was closed for about four hours.

The dust storm was caused by strong winds and dirt from dry fields that have little snow cover. Wind gusts in the area reached 37 mph.

Illinois State Police say a trooper was injured in a crash caused by the dust storm when he was rear-ended by another driver. A Secretary of State Police officer was involved in another collision. None of the injuries were serious.

Carlinville is about 35 miles south of Springfield.