A severe dust storm swept through central California on Monday afternoon, causing a major multi-vehicle collision and prompting emergency weather warnings from weather officials.
The intense weather event, which created near-zero visibility conditions in Fresno County, led to a dramatic pileup involving 20 vehicles on Highway 152. Several drivers sustained minor injuries in the chain-reaction crash, according to local law enforcement.
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Hanford issued an urgent dust storm warning for the region around 2 p.m. PT, followed by emergency alerts sent directly to residents' phones shortly after. The hazardous conditions forced authorities to close all westbound lanes of Highway 152 while emergency crews responded to the scene.
Dramatic footage captured during the event showed powerful winds whipping up thick clouds of dirt and debris, severely reducing visibility and coating vehicles and buildings in dust.
Weather experts note that dust storms are particularly common in southwestern desert regions, including parts of California and Arizona, and can develop rapidly with little warning. During such events, the NWS recommends drivers take immediate safety precautions:
- Pull completely off the roadway when possible
- Turn off all vehicle lights and set the emergency brake
- Avoid driving into visibly dusty areas
- If stopping isn't possible, reduce speed and use road markings as guides
- Use horns periodically and maintain extra distance from other vehicles
- Never park on active roadways
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly weather conditions can deteriorate in California's central valley region, and the importance of heeding emergency weather warnings.