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Veteran's Day dust storm causes power outages and highway accidents in Central Calif.

05:41 PM
November 12, 2024

Accidents & power outages
Central Calif. dust storm

Central California was hit by a powerful dust storm that created hazardous travel conditions and led to widespread power outages.

On Monday, November 11, 2024, the National Weather Service issued a dust storm warning for Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties, urging residents to exercise caution due to severely reduced visibility and strong winds.

In the Fresno area, thousands of customers lost power as a result of the storm, while a major accident on Highway 152 near Madera underscored the dangers on the roads. A multi-vehicle pileup involving ten vehicles forced the closure of the westbound lanes. According to the California Highway Patrol in Madera, the crash was directly caused by the storm’s impact on visibility.

Did you know?

California is no stranger to dust storms. In fact, from December 19 to December 21, 1977, the Southern San Joaquin Valley experienced one of the most extreme dust storms on record. Wind speeds reached a staggering 192 mph in Arvin, 189 mph in the foothills, and an incredible 199 mph in the mountain passes.

The strong winds stemmed from a potent cold front that swept southward across the state on Veterans Day. WindRadar data showed gusts reaching up to 50 mph in some areas, with even higher speeds reported at higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada.

Federico Di Catarina
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