Wind causes accidents, injuries and outages


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SALT LAKE CITY — Strong winds Tuesday afternoon caused injuries and damage to power lines, trees and other structures along the Wasatch Front.

The National Weather Service's Salt Lake branch reported gusts reaching 88 mph at Ogden Peak, with speeds around 60 mph in the valley. Temperatures in some areas dropped as many as 20 degrees in 30 minutes when the storm arrived about 3 p.m.

Utah Highway Patrol's Todd Royce said at least two semitrucks were blown over on I-15 near Tremonton thanks to the wind. He said the driver of the first — a triple trailer semitruck — suffered minor injuries and was released at the scene.

The second semitruck tipped onto a guard rail about 500 yards behind the first. Lt. Lynn Perry of the UHP said the driver was pinned in the cab and had to be extricated by emergency crews. The driver was transported to Bear River Valley Hospital in serious condition.

Perry said they are investigating the crashes, but believe wind and light loads caused the trucks to tip. Southbound I-15 near Tremonton is down to one lane as officials clear the damage.

Additionally, Rocky Mountain Power fielded more than 50 calls about outages likely caused by the wind. Only outages affecting more than 500 customers are listed on their website.

Power Outages

Salt Lake, Box Elder and Weber Counties

  • Approximately 6,000 to 14,000 without power
  • At this time, customers who are without power need to prepare for their electricity to be off until late this evening and possibly into tomorrow morning. Rocky Mountain Power has mobilized all available crews and is out in force working to restore service as soon as possible.

Marriott-Slater, Ogden and West Haven

  • Approximately 1,300 without power
  • Affecting zip codes 84404 and 84401
  • Repairs underway

Magna

  • Approximately 2,000 without power
  • Affecting zip codes 84102 and 84105
  • Call 1-877-508-5088 if you're still without power
  • Draper and Bluffdale

  • Approximately 600 without power
  • Affecting zip codes 84020 and 84065
  • Repairs underway
  • A construction site at a Murray hotel near 5300 South received heavy damage, turning building materials into scattered debris and toppling an eight-story scaffolding.

    Large marble panels, weighing 80 to 100 pounds each, were picked up by wind and and shattered into sharp shards.

    "The whole wind gust came, it was almost like a tornado. It was crazy," said Brain Jones who was working on site. "We were working with marble panels, and the marble just started flying off our tables and the wind was just taking it."

    Dust and dirty rain were carried by the wind, limiting visibility for motorists.

    UTA activated a bus bridge between South Jordan and Murray Central's FontRunner stations due to danger of high voltage lines down north of South Jordan.

    UDOT warned that power outages are affecting traffic lights. They are reminding drivers to treat flashing lights as a 4-way stop, using caution. The wind accompanied a cold front that is expected to continue through Wednesday.

    Sgt. Deven Higgins from the Murray Police Department said one motorist had a narrow escape with a high-voltage, downed power line.

    "The line itself was a highly electrical volted line. It landed on top of a gentleman's car. Luckily for that gentleman, he did the right thing and stayed inside his insulated vehicle."

    The wind also toppled a 60-year-old, 60 foot tree on Blain Allen's property in Lewiston, barely missing his house.

    "Just a might hard wind came barreling through. You couldn't even see, it was dark from the dirt from the field blowing like crazy," Allen said.

    Contributing: Sandra Yi, Andrew Adams and Kevin Eubank

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