VIDEO: Wind knocks out power in Davis, causes fire, snarls I-15
Workers from Brett's towing work to get a semi off of Interstate 15 on to Northbound Interstate 15 in Farmington on Tuesday, December 30, 2014. The winds were strong enough to blow over semis blocking traffic on Tuesday morning.
Power crews work on a downed line in Davis County this morning.
A UDOT Traffic camera shows a semi truck and its trailer rolled onto its side by high speed winds on Tuesday.
Please send your wind photos to visuals@standard.net
FARMINGTON — Interstate 15 is closed to semi trucks and trailers from Kaysville to North Salt Lake until further notice, Davis dispatchers said.
Three semi-trucks have been blown over near Farmington, a dispatcher said at 7 a.m. Large trucks were being prohibited from Legacy Highway as well, due to the strong winds.
Semi-trucks and trailers are either parked along the interstate or being diverted to Lagoon’s parking lot in Farmington, said Centerville Assistant Police Chief Paul Child.
One semi toppled onto its side on Legacy Highway at 1550 South in Farmington.
Several power poles are on fire, causing large power outages in Centerville and Farmington, dispatchers said.
The cause has been strong wind gusts, that have blown over lines and power poles, Davis County dispatchers said.
A Maverick store in Farmington has turned off its fuel pumps due to power poles next to it on fire, dispatchers said.
Davis dispatchers said officers have been busy most of the night due to traffic problems caused by the winds.
Child said when officials got notice about the possibility of high winds, they put their emergency plan into action, which included notifying residents by phone as well as sending out messages through Twitter and Facebook.
Wind gusts have been between 70 mph to 80 mph. A lot of Centerville was without power for part of the morning Tuesday. Power was restored to most residents by 9 a.m., Child said. 50 mph and 60 mph.
“There have been no reports of property damage yet,” Child said.
“Due to high winds we are experiencing power outages, drifting snow, flying debris, and traffic related problems. We have arraigned for trash pickup to discontinue pick up today, those who had mail pick up set for today should wait until tomorrow to put it out. Also Mail delivery will be postponed today.Snow plows have been out all night taking care of drifting snow that have accumulated on the streets,” Child said later in a prepared statement.
Child said because schools are out of session this week, that has been one less worry for officials.
“It’s been a big plus,” Child said. “It’s been a big relief not having to worry about canceling school.”
Child said there have been a number of accidents along city roads, Legacy Parkway and I-15, where motorists have slid off, but no one has been seriously injured.
Clearfield has shut down part of State Street because of a power pole that has been blown over, Clearfield dispatchers said.
Layton and Bountiful dispatchers said they have not a lot of problems reported yet. In Bountiful one tree has blown over.
In Syracuse, drifting snow reached the tops of houses next to a field by Syracuse High School between State Road 193 and Antelope Drive on 2000 West, said resident Chris Dallin.
In Farmington, officials announced they would not hold drug court on Tuesday due to the weather conditions.
The Standard-Examiner will update the story when it has more information.