UPDATE: A "blowing dust warning" has been issued for some counties in the region. See the latest here.
Interstate 55 was shut down in both directions Monday in south central Illinois as police reported "multiple crashes with injuries" and fatalities during a dust storm.
Authorities said there were multiple fatalities associated with the crashes. More than 30 others, ranging in age from 2 to 80 years old, were also taken to area hospitals.
Illinois State Police said the "large crash," which involved up to 90 total vehicles, took place near milepost 76 in Montgomery County.
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ISP said troopers were responding to multiple crashes with injuries, shutting down both directions of the major highway from milepost 63 to milepost 80. The incident was reported near Farmersville, Illinois, outside of Springfield.
Police said "visibility in the area is reported to be low due to blowing dust."
Images on social media showed what appeared to be a dust storm at the time of the accident.
Local
Images Show Dramatic Scene of Large Crash on I-55 Amid Dust Storm in South-Central Illinois
Police urged drivers to seek alternate routes as traffic was being diverted onto a frontage road.
Further details on the severity of the injuries remained unclear.
State police said just after noon that the closure was extended from milepost 52 to milepost 80 in both directions.
Divernon City Hall was being used as a reunification location for families of those involved in the crash, authorities said.
