The National Weather Service issued an emergency weather alert for central Illinois until 8:15 p.m. due to an ongoing dust storm.
Reports of near-zero visibility from blowing dust in several central Illinois cities have led to the closing of many major highways, including sections of I-57, I-72, I-74, I-155 and I-474. Law enforcement has warned that the impact is life-threatening.
Champaign County is one of the nine counties affected, and the National Weather Services advises delaying travel or exiting the highway before the dust storm arrives.
“There is no safe place on a highway when a dust storm hits,” the alert stated.
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UPDATE: 8:20 p.m.
The emergency weather alert was downgraded from a dust storm warning to a blowing dust warning, which will last until midnight. The alert stated that visibility is still severely limited and advised people suffering from respiratory problems to stay indoors until the alert ends.
The alert also recommended that in the event of blowing dust, drivers should pull to the side of the road and put the vehicle in park.
“Pull aside, stay alive,” the alert stated.
