Event narrative (NOAA)
Northwest winds gusting from 35-40 mph lofted dust from newly plowed farm fields resulting in near zero visibility across portions of northern Montgomery County in Illinois. The blowing dust significantly reduced visibility across portions of I-55 from Zanesville (Exit 63) north to Glenarm (Exit 83 ��� Sangamon County in WFO ILX), causing major accidents and resultant road closures. The first accident occurred around 10:55 am. Seventy-two vehicles were involved in the crashes that occurred in Montgomery County with 8 deaths, which happened along a 6-mile stretch of I-55 (between mile markers 72 and 78). Two semi trucks also caught fire. Also, 37 people, ages 2 to 80, were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.