UDOT: ‘Hurricane Force’ winds topple 3-dozen semi trucks in 20 minutes

Truck drivers and motorists alike were advised to stay off the roads in Utah on Tuesday as ‘hurricane force’ winds ripped through the northern part of the state. 

According to the Utah Department of Transportation, at around 1:30 p.m. more than 36 semi trucks in North Salt Lake County, Davis County, and along Legacy Highway had been blown over by the wind  in the last 20 minutes. 

Remember: The hwy & interstate restriction is still in place for high profile vehicles in Northern Utah. Right now in Davis County we are highly discouraging anyone from driving on roadways in that county for the remainder of the morning. pic.twitter.com/BwbrPQrOAU

— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) September 8, 2020

“The National Weather Service clocked winds of 99 mph at Park Lane on U.S. Highway 89, with gusts of 97 mph in Farmington and at Logan Peak, 89 mph at the University of Utah’s Browning Building, and 84 mph at Hill Air Force Base,” reported the Salt Lake Tribune.

In addition to the overturned tractor trailers, the wind brought widespread power outages in the northern part of the state and raised concerns over malfunctioning overhead highway signs due to the lack of power. 

The Utah highway patrol advised drivers to avoid Interstate 15 from Salt Lake County to the Idaho border due to numerous closures along the highway for overturned semi trucks. Drivers already out and about were advised to remain inside their vehicles due to flying debris.