45 Big Bigs Toppled by High Winds in Utah, Multiple Truckers Injured

Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) has lifted a big rig travel ban previously issued for three counties as high winds wreaked havoc throughout the state on Tuesday.

Reports of dozens of big rigs toppled by strong winds prompted authorities in Utah to ban travel for semi-trucks in Box Elder, Weber and Davis counties.

“Semi Drivers: please avoid the area, find shelter and park perpendicular to the wind,” UHP urged in a statement on Tuesday. “If you’re stuck in traffic, do not exit your vehicle due to flying debris. And, avoid parking alongside high profile vehicles.”

Reported wind gusts reached as high as 77 m.p.h. in some areas.

Despite the warnings and issuance of the travel restrictions, some truckers still found themselves in harm’s way.

In fact, according to local outlet KUTV, a total of 45 semi-trucks were blown over on Tuesday.

Lieutenant Nick Street with UHP said four truckers were taken to area hospitals with injuries.

However, Lt. Street did not specify the extent of the injuries.

To illustrate just how damaging and dangerous the wind was, UHP posted video from a trooper’s dash cam showing a big rig being toppled onto its side on Interstate 15, next to another tractor-trailer met with the same fate.

While it may seem calmer than it was, winds are expected to gust up to 75 mph again tonight after 9:00 pm in Davis & Weber Counties. Please do not ignore the restrictions on high-profile vehicles (…still in place) in this area. pic.twitter.com/uguac8trDx
— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) September 9, 2020