A heavy storm in western Kansas was reportedly responsible for blowing over multiple semi trucks and temporarily shutting down a major interstate.
Authorities in Ellis County, Kansas, said that at least 20 semi trucks were blown over during a storm on Tuesday, August 13, the Wichita Eagle reports.
Wind gusts of 80 miles per hour were reported. The Hays Police Department said that the storm caused “high waters, downed power lines, debris and hazards in the roadways, as well as power outages.”
Traveling on I-70 near Ellis in Ellis County strong winds toppled over 3 tractor-trailers within a mile. I also saw speed limit signs bent over. @NWSGoodland #severeweather pic.twitter.com/bdhrMkoJyA
— Nathan Scott THV11 (@NathanScott_wx) August 14, 2019
To make matters worse, Kansas state troopers said that a high voltage power line had fallen on top of some of the semi trucks on I-70.
There has been no word on driver injuries at this time.
Transportation officials shut down a stretch of I- 70 in both directions between Wakenney and Hays for the blown over trucks last night. The interstate was reopened on Wednesday morning.
More than 7,000 Kansas residents lost power as a result of the storm.
You can see a storm chaser’s video of the blown over trucks below.