‘Super Fog’ Causes Deadly Pile-Up, Blocks Traffic in Both Directions
Two Killed in Deadly Pile-Up on Interstate Due to ’Super Fog’
Tragic events unfolded on Monday along a Louisiana stretch of interstate, resulting in two fatalities and bringing traffic to a standstill. Meteorologists are attributing the poor visibility to a phenomenon known as “super fog.”
Multiple car crashes occurred on I-55 between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, some of which led to fires. The scene was described as ”utter gridlock.”
Horrible situation on I-55 with multiple vehicles on fire, at least one death and emergency responders on the scene. I-10 closed in both directions at the Bonne Carre Spillway to enable first responders to get to the scene. pic.twitter.com/buppTR292l
— WWL-TV (@WWLTV) October 23, 2023
According to WWL-TV, two people lost their lives in separate crashes, while the number of injuries remains unclear.
Rescue efforts were underway after a vehicle careened off a bridge and into a waterway. Additionally, school buses in the New Orleans area experienced delays of up to an hour.
The Cause: ‘Super Fog’
The National Weather Service in New Orleans explained that the poor visibility was due to a combination of dense fog and smoke, creating what is known as “super fog.” This hazardous condition affected I-55 between Ponchatoula and LaPlace.
Dense fog & smoke have combined to form what is known as Superfog (yes, it is the technical name) & this is still heavily impacting I-55 between Ponchatoula & LaPlace. The interstate was still closed according to @La_DOTD due to multiple accidents. Fog is slowly improving. pic.twitter.com/xwovJBbuco
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) October 23, 2023
The National Weather Service further explained that super fog occurs when a mixture of smoke and moisture is released from damp smoldering organic material, such as brush and trees. This mixture then combines with cooler, nearly saturated air, resulting in visibility dropping to less than 10 feet. Super fog can be particularly dangerous on highways and has caused numerous multi-vehicle pileups in the past.
Images and videos shared on social media platforms showcased the extent of the chaos caused by the wrecks.
RAW VIDEO: Scene of multiple crashes and fires on I-55 northbound near the Manchac exit>>https://t.co/p2ctyyrKaS pic.twitter.com/eYJIPb7bw9
— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) October 23, 2023
Authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the chain reaction accidents along the highway. Multiple agencies responded to the scene to assist with the aftermath and to restore traffic flow.
The accidents not only shut down I-55 but also affected I-10, which connects New Orleans to Baton Rouge.
Meteorologist Alexa Trischler from WWL-TV warned residents to be prepared for similar issues on Tuesday morning.
The post ‘Super Fog’ Conditions Cause Massive Deadly Pile-Up on Interstate, Blocking Traffic in Both Directions appeared first on The Western Journal.
What is “super fog” and how does it pose a danger to drivers on highways?
Two people were killed on Monday in Louisiana when a deadly pile-up occurred on a stretch of interstate due to “super fog.” The poor visibility caused by this phenomenon resulted in multiple car crashes, some of which led to fires. The scene on I-55 between Baton Rouge and New Orleans was described as “utter gridlock.”
According to reports from WWL-TV, two fatalities have been confirmed, but the number of injuries remains unclear. Rescue efforts were underway after a vehicle veered off a bridge and into a waterway. Additionally, delays of up to an hour were experienced by school buses in the New Orleans area.
The National Weather Service in New Orleans explained that the poor visibility was caused by a combination of dense fog and smoke, creating what is known as “super fog.” This hazardous condition affected the area between Ponchatoula and LaPlace. Super fog occurs when a mixture of smoke and moisture is released from damp smoldering organic material, such as brush and trees. This mixture combines with cooler, nearly saturated air, causing visibility to drop to less than 10 feet. Super fog has proven to be particularly dangerous on highways and has caused numerous multi-vehicle pileups in the past.
Images and videos shared on social media platforms showcased the extent of the chaos caused by the wrecks. Authorities are still assessing the damage caused by the chain reaction accidents along the highway. Multiple agencies responded to the scene to assist with the aftermath and to restore traffic flow.
The accidents not only shut down I-55 but also affected I-10, the highway connecting New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Meteorologist Alexa Trischler from WWL-TV warned residents to be prepared for similar issues on Tuesday morning.
It is important for drivers to exercise caution and be aware of the potential dangers posed by extreme visibility conditions such as super fog. Taking necessary precautions, such as reducing speed, ensuring proper vehicle maintenance, and using headlights and fog lights when needed, can help mitigate the risks associated with such weather conditions. It is also crucial for authorities and transportation agencies to adequately respond to such incidents and provide timely assistance to affected individuals.
Tragically, this event serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant on the roads and of the unpredictability of weather-related hazards. As communities mourn the loss of life and work towards recovery, it is our collective responsibility to prioritize safety and take necessary measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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