Sandstorm forces CHP to close 14 Freeway in Lancaster area
A sandstorm whipped by powerful winds forced officials to close the 14 Freeway near Avenue A in the Lancaster area amid rush hour Tuesday afternoon.
Officers arriving at the scene encountered several vehicle crashes amid a blistering sandstorm that reduced visibility to dangerous levels, the California Highway Patrol said.
“Our units have goggles and masks,” Officer Tatiana Sauquillo told The Times. “Apparently there’s zero visibility.”
Both northbound and southbound lanes of the freeway were closed about 4:30 p.m., prompting the CHP to declare a SigAlert for the area.
It was unclear how long the freeway would be closed.
A high-wind warning was issued for the Antelope Valley by the National Weather Service. Northwest winds blowing 25 mph to 35 mph were expected, and gusts could be up to 60 mph, the agency said. It was unclear how long the freeway would be closed.
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