UPDATE: Wind gusts, blowing dust lead to road closures, traffic accidents

From Staff Reports
·4 min read

Strong winds on Tuesday are impacting driving conditions, followed by potential rain and/or snow Wednesday and Thursday for parts of the Texas Panhandle expected to also impact driving conditions, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

TxDOT said in a post on Twitter around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday that Hwy. 152 was closed in Carson County from FM 1059 to FM 280 due to a downed power line.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said several roadways re-opened after crashes were cleared. Motorists are advised to use extreme caution due to the high winds and low visibility in the area. US 83 and Hwy. 70 were closed at the Y south of Perryton due to crashes involving approximately six vehicles and low visibility, DPS said. Northbound US 83 traffic was diverted at Hwy. 23, and northbound Hwy. 70 traffic was diverted at FM 281. No major injuries have been reported at this time.

TxDOT also noted that Hwy. 273 was closed Tuesday afternoon at County Road S near McLean due to a fire. It has since reopened.

Blowing dust in the eastern portion of the Texas Panhandle dropped visibility down to less than 1/4 mile, and a wind gust over 80 mph was reported in Guymon, Oklahoma, NWS Amarillo reported. The dust led to multiple crashes and road closings in the region Tuesday, including Hwy. 15 east of Stratford and US 83 near Perryton. "Please drive with extreme caution. Large profile vehicles are urged to avoid driving if possible," NWS says.

The dust was also causing multiple power outages in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Amarillo reported winds gusting as high as 60 to 80 mph across the area with blowing dust.

With the potential for snow in the coming days following the strong winds, crews with the TxDOT Amarillo District pretreated major roadways including I-27, I-40, State Loop 335 and all other primary state and federal corridors, along with bridges and overpasses, across the top 17 counties of the Texas Panhandle on Tuesday morning, with brine operations expected to be complete by the end of the work day Tuesday.

In addition to leaving at least 200 feet between your vehicle and TxDOT’s brining operations vehicles, drivers should keep the following tips in mind if they must drive in high wind conditions:

  • Be weather aware and know before you go. Monitor NWS advisories in your area. Visit www.DriveTexas.org to view traffic cameras and get the most up-to-date road conditions.

  • Plan ahead. Leave extra time, as your drive may take longer due to the need to drive more slowly in high winds.

  • Always wear a seatbelt – every rider, every time and eliminate distractions.

  • Have your radio already tuned to a station that provides weather updates. Listen for changes in weather conditions that could create more dangerous driving.

  • Keep your hands firmly on the wheel and drive to conditions.

  • Turn on headlights, if needed, to account for possibility of low visibility created by blowing dust, sand, snow or rain.

  • Be aware of and maintain safe distances from other vehicles near you, particularly RVs, campers, trucks, buses, or trailers being towed. These vehicles could swing out and hit your car in sudden wind gusts.

  • Take extra care in a high-profile vehicle such as trucks, vans, SUVs, or when towing a trailer, as these are more prone to being pushed or flipped by high winds.

  • Truckers carrying empty trailers or light loads are especially vulnerable. Make certain open or deck-loaded cargo is secured properly. Be extra cautious in open areas where wind gusts could push a truck out of its lane.

  • Watch for objects in the road. Loose objects and tree branches may be blown around.

  • If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, pull over into a safe parking area – the shoulder of a busy roadway is not safe.

  • When arriving at your destination, avoid parking near trees, downed power lines and buildings.

In the event of downed power lines:

  • Never drive over downed power lines. Even if they have been knocked over by the wind, high-voltage wires may still be alive and very dangerous.

  • Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches.

  • Report downed lines to your local utility emergency center and to the police.

For more information on driving in inclement weather, including snow and ice, visit https://www.txdot.gov/safety/severe-weather.html.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: TxDOT warns wind gusts, rain/snow could impact driving conditions