Gusts Topple 2 Big Rigs in Inland Empire
Gusts of up to 60 mph roared through Riverside and San Bernardino counties Thursday, toppling at least two big rigs, which clogged Interstate 15 and the 60 Freeway during the morning commute. No injuries were reported, county officials said.
The National Weather Service issued a high-wind warning until 6 p.m. Thursday for a swath of the Inland Empire that included San Bernardino, Ontario, Chino, Riverside and Temecula.
About 8:20 a.m., a truck on the connector road between the southbound Interstate 15 and the eastbound 60 Freeway west of Riverside tipped on its side, leaking diesel fuel. The accident closed the connector for more than two hours. About 20 minutes later, an empty big rig tumbled on northbound Interstate 15 above the 60 Freeway, closing three lanes until about 10:20 a.m.
Southern California Edison reported about 110 power outages in San Bernardino, Fontana and the Lake Arrowhead area, and at least 3,300 customers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties experienced minor power disruptions from lines downed or tangled in trees.
Winds blasted up to 60 mph south of the Cajon Pass, between the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains, and up to 40 mph elsewhere. Winds blustering east get trapped in the mountains and shoot into valleys.
“It’s like a dam that springs a leak -- the water is backed up, and it comes out really fast,” said Stan Wasowski of the National Weather Service in San Diego.
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