A series of massive crashes in Louisiana left 63 people injured amid “super fog” conditions caused by smoke from nearby wildfires. Environmental factors are being scrutinized as authorities conduct cleanup and assess damage on the affected roadway.
A series of significant crashes in Louisiana resulted in injuries to 63 individuals as “super fog,” exacerbated by local wildfires, created hazardous conditions. Cleanup and a damage assessment on the roadway are underway, with environmental factors coming under scrutiny.
In the crashes near New Orleans, over 25 injured individuals were taken to hospitals, some with critical injuries, while others sought medical help independently. These pileups occurred in the vicinity of “super fog,” characterized by dense fog caused by smoke from wildfires. Visibility was severely impaired.
The Louisiana State Police announced the clearance of all vehicles along the I-55, and cleanup operations have begun to address debris and hazardous materials. After cleanup, both northbound and southbound lanes of I-55 will remain closed until the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development conducts an assessment of a bridge impacted by the crashes.
Some of the vehicles involved caught fire, including a tanker truck carrying “hazardous liquid.” Authorities are working on moving this truck, which could reveal additional fatalities.
Authorities have appealed to the public for information on missing family members who may have been traveling in the area.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards emphasized the danger posed by the combination of wildfire smoke and dense fog, urging extreme caution. He praised the first responders and medical personnel and encouraged blood donations to replenish supplies used to care for the wounded.
The crashes occurred in the northbound and southbound lanes, with multiple 18-wheel trucks and cars involved, some of which were engulfed in flames. The crashes led to a gridlocked area, with first responders having to work on foot.
The “super fog” was generated by fog mixing with smoke from nearby wildfires, a situation exacerbated by severe drought and exceptional dryness in Louisiana. A controlled fire in New Orleans’s wetlands was also monitored, further highlighting the environmental challenges.
While a repeat of the “super fog” is unlikely for Tuesday, patchy areas of dense fog may persist, but the winds are expected to be much stronger, reducing the risk of dense fog formation.
