Santa Ana winds top 90 mph and tip semi-trucks on California highways, police say
Winds blowing through Southern California on Tuesday rivaled gusts in tornadoes and Category 1 Hurricanes, toppling semi-trucks and blocking freeway traffic, authorities said.
Wind speeds at Hellhole Canyon in San Diego County reached 91 mph around 9 a.m. Tuesday, the local National Weather Service office said. In Fremont Canyon winds were nearly as intense, hitting 88 mph, NWS officials said.
“Please stay safe if you are out and about!” NWS officials advised on Twitter.
The intense gusts created nightmares on a few highways in Southern California: KTLA reported that roughly “a dozen truck drivers pulled over on the side of the 15 Freeway in the Fontana area after Santa Ana winds knocked over a big rig” in northbound lanes around 7 a.m.
“The driver says he was trying to get off the freeway and just couldn’t get there quick enough,” tow truck driver Jay Strawderman said, according to the TV station.
Another incident was reported on the 118 Freeway, according to California Highway Patrol.
One big rig traveling through east San Diego County on Interstate 8 east of Alpine overturned and blocked part of the road as well, according to FOX 5 San Diego.
With winds reaching 70 mph or higher, NWS issued wind advisories “for Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties, the Inland Empire, the Santa Clarita Valley and the San Fernando Valley,” according to KABC.
The tow truck driver who was called to the 15 Freeway incident urged drivers to be cautious.
“Just don’t take the chance,” Strawderman told KTLA. “It’s very dangerous, and this is proof right here of what could happen. Not just trucks but RVs, anything high-profile.”
The wind advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday, covering cities including Lockwood Valley, Mount Pinos, Acton, Mount Wilson, Sandberg, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Running Springs, Wrightwood, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Julian, Pine Valley, Banning and Desert Hot Springs, according to NWS officials.
“Damaging winds will blow down large objects such as trees and power lines. Power outages are expected,” forecasters said. “Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
This story was originally published December 17, 2019 at 1:14 PM with the headline "Santa Ana winds top 90 mph and tip semi-trucks on California highways, police say."
