High Winds Cause Chaos in the Inland Empire, California
ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC) — The Inland Empire was hit hard by powerful winds on Monday morning, resulting in overturned big rigs on freeways and downed power lines. At least five big rigs were overturned by the strong winds, with two of them near the I-10/I-15 interchange in Ontario.
The California Highway Patrol reported that AIR7 HD captured a tow truck dragging one of the big rigs off to the shoulder. In addition to the overturned trucks in Ontario, two more big rigs were knocked down in Jurupa Valley and another fell in Devore. Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
The windy conditions also caused downed power lines across all lanes on the eastbound side of the 10 Freeway at Citrus Avenue. The high winds are expected to continue blowing through parts of the Southland on Monday, with high wind warnings in place for the Inland Empire until 10 a.m. Tuesday. Northeast winds are expected to reach between 30 to 40 mph with gusts of up to 75 mph.
Experts have warned that big rigs returning empty after making deliveries are most at risk during such high winds. The high profile and lighter weight of these trucks make them more prone to tipping over in these extreme conditions. Motorists are advised to exercise caution while driving in the affected areas and to be aware of the potential hazards posed by the strong winds.
Local authorities are working to manage the aftermath of the overturned big rigs and downed power lines as the windy conditions persist. Community members are urged to stay updated on the latest weather advisories and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this period of heightened wind activity in the Inland Empire.