High Winds Upset Trucks, Douse Power in Utah
Winds gusting to more than 100 mph swept across northern Utah on Friday, overturning 20 tractor-trailers, knocking out power to as many as 6,000 homes and forcing schools to close.
No injuries were reported.
Strong winds are common in Utah during the spring and fall. But Friday’s windstorm was the most severe in 15 years, said William Adler, a National Weather Service forecaster.
A 113-mph gust was recorded at the Brigham City Airport, with sustained winds reaching 72 mph. Police estimated damage at the airport at more than $750,000.
Gusts were clocked at 66 mph at Hill Air Force Base and 87 mph at Centerville.
Twenty tractor-trailers were blown over on Interstate 15, the state’s main north-south road, and trucks were banned from the highway.
In Ogden, a crane on top of the municipal building fell onto the roof. Its 500-pound wrecking ball landed on the city jail, forcing office workers to evacuate.
The wind also uprooted trees and tore shingles off roofs.
Fourteen schools closed because of power outages and minor damage.
The weather in Salt Lake City was calm.
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