FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– Extreme weather in the Northland closed Interstate 40 between Twin Arrows and Winslow for most of the day Tuesday.
Wind and blowing dust made I-40 too dangerous to travel at around 10:30 this morning, prompting DPS and ADOT to close the highway and turn drivers around in Winslow (westbound) and at Twin Arrows (eastbound). The National Weather Service in Flagstaff issued a Dust Storm Warning and a High Wind Warning for the area early this morning, warning of the potential of dangerous driving conditions.
Three high-profile vehicles blew over on their side before the closure, including a FedEx tractor-trailer.
Motorists, mostly truck drivers, waited out the closure on the shoulder along the highway, stretching nearly-continuously for seven miles from the Winona exit to Twin Arrows. Every on- and off-ramp from Butler Avenue in Flagstaff to Twin Arrows had tractor-trailers parked, waiting for the closure to be lifted.
DPS reopened the Interstate to east-bound traffic at around 6 PM, and west-bound at 7:15 PM.
Drivers are encouraged to travel with care this evening as there still are some gusty winds possible. The Dust Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 PM and a High Wind Warning is also in effect this evening. DPS says that they will reopen the highway as soon as it is safe enough to do so.
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