7/13/2023 0 Comments Storm it oremStudies indicate that dry weather discharges contribute significant pollutants to receiving waters. Although these illicit discharges can enter the storm drain system in various ways, they generally result from either direct connections or indirect connections. These so-called “generating sites” may potentially discharge sanitary waste water, septic system effluent, vehicle wash water, wash down from grease traps, motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline and fuel spills, among other substances. Common sources of non-storm water, dry weather discharges in urban areas include: One driver told the (Springfield) State Journal-Register that loose dirt from plowed soybean fields had produced clouds of dust along the freeway, and police said visibility was hampered to the point that drivers could not see beyond the hoods of their vehicles.Storm Water regulations define an “illicit discharge” as “any discharge to a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) that is not composed entirely of storm water” (except exempted discharges). In 2014, dust blowing off dry farm fields near Carlinville, 45 miles south of Springfield, led to multiple collisions on Illinois’ State Highway 108. Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph had blown through the area, according to .ĭust storms are rare in the area. Officials expected the roadway to be closed through the evening, and travelers were urged to seek alternate routes. And that's when I came across everything else stopped in the road.”Īuthorities directed people seeking to reunify with people involved in the crash to call 1-800-RedCross. And I moved to the left lane to get away out from behind a semi. "I've driven through them before, you know," Cormier said. “People were “upset − visibly so, understandably so.” “We had to search every vehicle, whether they were involved in the accident or just pulled over, to check for injuries,” he said. Kevin Schott, director of emergency services in Montgomery County, said it was a “very difficult scene” and one that’s “very hard to train for.” There was just so many cars and semitrucks with so much momentum behind them.” “People try to slow down and other people didn’t, and I just got plowed into. Louis from Chicago, said a semitruck turned before striking his vehicle, sparing him from even more damage. The top layer of soil is quite loose.” Horrific 'dust bowl'Įvan Anderson, 25, who was returning home to St. "The farmers are out there tilling their fields and planting. “It’s been very dry across this area really for the last three weeks," Schaffer said. National Weather Service meteorologist Chuck Schaffer told The Associated Press that the area is flat and has few trees. Nathan Cormier told he was driving on the interstate when he saw a cloud of smoke ahead. The Montgomery County Coroner's Office was working to identify the other five victims, according to the Illinois State Police.Īccording to WSIL chief meteorologist Nick Hausen, dust blowing off freshly cultivated fields led to low visibility in the area. ![]() ![]() Of the six fatalities, one victim was identified Monday night as 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin. Illinois State Police also reported that 37 people ages 2 to 80 were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. According to Montgomery County authorities, 10 helicopters were called to the scene in addition to a hazardous materials team to suppress fires, including a power tool battery blaze on a semitrailer. Starrick said two tractor-trailers had caught fire. CDT near milepost 76 in south-central Illinois' Montgomery County, prompting authorities to close traffic between mileposts 52 and 80.Īs of late Monday, the Illinois State Police said 72 vehicles were involved in the crashes, which included passenger cars and multiple tractor-trailers. (photo via /rYbWKndJa6- IDOT_Illinois May 1, 2023Īccording to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the pileup took place just before 11 a.m. Interstate 55 in southern Sangamon and northern Montgomery counties remains closed in both directions because of numerous crashes caused by a dust storm, which has greatly reduced visibility.
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