DIVERNON, Ill. – A dangerous dust storm led to a massive pileup on Interstate 55 south of Springfield, Illinois, Monday, forcing emergency officials to close a 30-mile stretch of the highway.
Officials released few details, but Illinois State Police said they closed down a stretch of the highway in both directions from milepost 52 to 80.
SEE WHAT A COLORADO DUST STORM LOOKS LIKE FROM A SEAT ON AN AIRPLANE
State police said traffic was being diverted onto the frontage road, and drivers were urged to avoid the area and find an alternate route.
Divernon City Hall is now being used as a reunification post for families of people who were involved in the crash, according to state police.
The National Weather Service in St. Louis said a mixture of freshly plowed fields and gusty northwest winds generated the dust storm in the region.
This story will be updated as new details are released.