Powerful dust storm in California causes 20-car pileup in Madera County
A powerful dust storm swept through California’s Madera County on Monday afternoon, November 11, 2024, leading to a 20-car pileup due to reduced visibility on the State Route 152.
A powerful dust storm swept through California’s Madera County on Monday afternoon along State Route 152, causing a car pileup as several vehicles collided due to severely reduced visibility.
Approximately 20 cars were involved in the pileup, according to the California Highway Patrol. Several people sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital.
@CALFIRE_TUU’s Porterville Air Attack Base personnel faced interesting weather yesterday while returning from the Rifle Fire in Kern County. Air Attack 410, Tanker 76, and Tanker 78 landed at Bakersfield Jet Center as a dust storm swept through several Central Valley counties. pic.twitter.com/M3Zw6EcGB9
— CAL FIRE Tulare Unit (@CALFIRE_TUU) November 12, 2024
“It was terrifying, it was just terrifying. We got hit, we thought we were okay, then we got hit again, and again. We just thought it wasn’t going to end. I really thought we were going to die. I’m really thankful we’re okay,” said Delissa Fulce, one of the drivers stranded on the highway.
The storm reportedly downed several fences and trees as it swept through the region.
References:
1 Several injured in massive pile-up on dust-covered highway in Madera County – ABC30 – November 13, 2024
2 Giant wall of dust sweeps across central California – BBC – November 13, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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