NEWS FROM MORECAST
Wildfires and Deadly Dust Storm Roll Across the American High Plains
A massive, powerful storm system moved out of the Western U.S. on Tuesday, bringing high winds to the Plains states. Widespread gusts of 55-70 mph (80-110 kph) knocked over trees and powerlines as well as high-profile vehicles (see video below). Higher gusts of 70-100 mph (110-160 kph) were reported at wind prone spots from Montana all the way down to New Mexico (see table below). The high winds picked up dust and created dangerous “brownout” conditions, especially in eastern Colorado and western Kansas. The near-zero visibilities led to a 30-car pileup on Interstate 25 near Pueblo, CO, which killed four and sent 29 more to local hospitals with a variety of injuries.
The high winds and dry conditions also pushed wildfires out of control from Texas through Oklahoma and southern Kansas. The largest fire burned 145,000 acres in Beaver County, Oklahoma (see video below). Numerous voluntary evacuations were undertaken. Many homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed, and four firefighters were injured.
