MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Illinois — The National Weather Service issued a dust storm warning Tuesday afternoon for parts of Illinois, near the area where blowing dust caused a deadly pileup on Interstate 55 on Monday.
A dust storm warning for northern Montgomery County was allowed to expire at 4:30 p.m., while a blowing dust warning continues for the entire county. A dust storm warning remains in effect in Sangamon, Christian and Shelby counties until 6 p.m.
This dust storm warning included Interstate 55 between mile markers 78 and 81 and Interstate 57 near mile marker 169.
At 2:17, a dust channel was detected near Morrisonville, or 10 miles
west of Taylorville, moving southeast at 45 mph.
Visibility was less than a quarter of a mile, making travel dangerous, NWS said. Those with respiratory problems were advised to stay indoors until the storm passes.
Motorists should not drive in a dust storm and are urged to pull aside. If caught in a storm or you see one approaching, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake.
I-55 between mile markers 63 and 82 was closed as winds are once again limiting visibility Tuesday afternoon. The highway was reopened at about 5:35 p.m.
ISP said that while there were no crashes reported during the Tuesday dust storm as of 3 p.m., the road where yesterday's pileup occurred was being closed as a precaution until winds die down.
5 On Your Side Meteorologist Scott Connell confirmed this is the first recorded dust storm warning in the St. Louis viewing area. The event on Monday was categorized as a blowing dust warning.
Strong, gusty winds blew across much of Missouri and Illinois Monday. Peak wind speeds have been around 40 to 45 miles per hour in most places. Locally, some gusts have exceeded 50 miles per hour.
With the recent lack of widespread rain and rather windy conditions for several days in the last week or two, the ground dried considerably. Couple that with the growing season getting underway and recently tilled soil, created a recipe for significant blowing dust in the open areas in portions of central Illinois.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
