A massive pile-up occurred Monday on Highway 152 after a strong dust storm hit the region. (Madera CHP Facebook)
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A dust storm that struck Central California Monday afternoon led to power outages across the Fresno area, affecting thousands of customers, and caused a multi-vehicle pileup on Highway 152.
The Madera California Highway Patrol reported that more than 10 vehicles were involved in the crash that closed westbound Highway 152 west of Road 17.
Meanwhile, a dust storm warning remains in effect until 3 p.m. Monday, the National Weather Service tweeted in a warning to drivers on the area’s highways.
A dust storm warning is in effect until 3:00 PM PST for State Highway 180 in Fresno County, CA and State Highway 41 in Fresno County, CA and State Highway 43 in Fresno County, CA and State Highway 99 in Fresno County, CA. pic.twitter.com/MQxBpAkVVA
— NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) November 11, 2024
The National Weather Service was forecasting strong wind gusts in excess of 45 mph over the Mojave Desert Slopes from 9 p.m. Monday through 7 a.m. Tuesday. High-profile vehicles would be most at risk.
Wow! @GVWire https://t.co/NFeD8VfF0S
— Nancy Price (@neprice) November 11, 2024
Rain Showers Move Through the Valley
The skies over Fresno darkened Monday afternoon when the dust-laden gusts hit the area, blowing large limbs out of trees. Rain began falling mid-afternoon.
1:00 PM – Latest Radar loop shows showers moving through the San Joaquin Valley. Brief moderate rain with gusty winds with the arrival of the showers has been observed as this rain passes through. #cawx pic.twitter.com/tQn5hxDcQR
— NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) November 11, 2024
The Pacific Gas & Electric outage map shows large sections of Fresno west of Highway 99, north of downtown, north of Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, and the Sunnyside area in southeast Fresno without power.
You can access the outage map at this link.
Caltrans District 10 tweeted that Highway 120 through Yosemite National Park is temporarily closed from Crane Flat Road eastward due to the winter storm.
#TravelAlert #TuolumneCounty SR-120 temporarily closed at Crane Flat Rd. through #YosemiteNationalPark due to winter storm. Get current traffic and closure info. using https://t.co/sgfT02rMbM. #Quickmap #KnowBeforeYouGo pic.twitter.com/Cdf0sBzzTo
— Caltrans District 10 (@CaltransDist10) November 11, 2024
The storm knocked down limbs in the backyard of this home in northeast Fresno.