SANTA FE, N.M. — Dust storms swept across New Mexico on Tuesday, causing significant disruptions to highway traffic as local authorities issued an emergency alert warning residents of dangerous visibility levels and health risks, particularly for infants and the elderly.
The dry, dusty conditions led to nearly zero visibility along the Albuquerque-Santa Fe corridor, as gusts reached up to 50 mph. This impacted high plains communities in Torrance County and towns along Interstate 40.
In response to the blinding dust, New Mexico’s transportation department closed a 130-mile section of Interstate 10, extending from the Arizona state line to the outskirts of Las Cruces, along with state highways near Deming.
High winds also resulted in road closures in the oil-producing regions near Roswell and Carlsbad.
The National Weather Service advised, “Motorists should not drive into a dust storm. Pull aside and stay alive,” emphasizing the dangers of navigating through these severe weather conditions.
Authorities are also cautioning residents about potential wildfires, especially following a grasslands fire that necessitated evacuations on the outskirts of Wagon Mound last Friday.
In addition, last week’s dust storms in neighboring areas, including western Kansas, resulted in a tragic pileup on Interstate 70 involving numerous vehicles, claiming the lives of eight individuals.
