"Oklahoma Dust Storm Shuts Down Portion of Interstate 35"

"TULSA, Okla. -- A massive dust storm swirling reddish-brown clouds over northern Oklahoma triggered a multi-vehicle accident along a major interstate Thursday, forcing police to shut down the heavily traveled roadway amid near blackout conditions."



"In a scene reminiscent of the Dust Bowl days, choking dust suspended on strong wind gusts shrouded Interstate 35, which links Dallas and Oklahoma City to Kansas City, Mo. Video from television station helicopters showed the four-lane highway virtually disappearing into billowing dust on the harsh landscape near Blackwell, plus dozens of vehicles scattered in the median and on the shoulders.

'I've never seen anything like this,' said Jodi Palmer, a dispatcher with the Kay County Sheriff's Office. 'In this area alone, the dirt is blowing because we've been in a drought. I think from the drought everything's so dry and the wind is high.'   "

Justin Juozapavicius reports for Reuters October 10, 2012.
 

Source: Huffington Post, 10/19/2012