By Ivy Secrest
Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

CHEYENNE — As high winds tear across Wyoming and northern Colorado, an increasing number of vehicles have been blown over, littering Interstates 25 and 80.

The high wind event has caused approximately 39 vehicles to crash on Wyoming highways so far this week, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol. These trucks are getting hit with wind gusts anywhere from 50 to 75 mph.

WHP Senior Public Relations Specialist Aaron Brown said the final numbers may change as reports are completed.

Multiple signs on the highways and digital resources have been warning of the high wind conditions. Sections of both I-25 and I-80 have been closed to lightweight, high-profile vehicles due to 35 to 45 mph sustained winds and gusts over 75 mph.

Most of the crashes occurred on I-80 near Cooper Cove west of Laramie, I-25 on Wyo Hill south of Cheyenne and I-25 near Wheatland at Bordeaux, according to a news release from the WHP sent out Thursday.

“With winter being the state’s windiest months, the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Wyoming Highway Patrol want to remind drivers of all vehicle types to use caution and pay close attention to highway signage,” the release read.

Signage often states closures, typically applying to high-profile vehicles, and includes weight-based restrictions, but it is up to drivers to heed the closures.

WYDOT updates the minimum weights listed on overhead digital messaging signs based on real-time wind speeds. In its news release, WHP encouraged drivers to check weight-based wind closure information often to ensure travel is permitted.

Those who don’t heed the warnings, either online or on the road, open themselves to safety risks. 

It’s not just commercial vehicles that are at risk; campers and tractor-trailers can be subject to damage from the hazardous winds, as well.

This week, many blown-over vehicles were underweight, according to the WHP. Some trailers were even empty.

“It’s hard to tell at this point exactly what every truck was doing,” Brown told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle via email Thursday. “But we have seen a fair share ignoring the conditions and going where they shouldn’t.”

Brown noted that driving a prohibited vehicle during a road closure can result in citations and hefty fines, including fines for any damage to the roadway. Again, this doesn’t only apply to commercial drivers. During powerful wind events, WYDOT and WHP urge all travelers to heed wind closure warnings.

“A single blowover event often occupies several troopers, along with additional towing and emergency vehicles, tying up critical resources that may be needed elsewhere and sometimes forcing the highway to close to all traffic for debris cleanup,” the news release said.

Even if a closure doesn’t apply to a vehicle, it’s still important to approach driving in windy conditions with caution. Additional hazards like blowing snow, slick spots and flying debris can still cause issues for vehicles permitted to drive.

Drivers can check wind closures and wind speeds anytime at wyoroad.info or via the Wyoming 511 mobile app.

The National Weather Service had a high wind warning posted for central Laramie County and eastern Platte County effective until 5 p.m. Thursday, though high wind conditions were seen well down I-25 into northern Colorado.

According to Brown, the blowovers on I-25 spread out over the first 100 miles or so from the Colorado border, but the majority of blowovers on I-80 were taking place in a relatively smaller area between Laramie and Elk Mountain.

Eleven of the approximately 13 blown over vehicles officially reported on I-80 have occurred in a span of less than 10 miles in Albany County and Carbon County.

According to a statement posted on the WHP’s Facebook page on Wednesday, no serious injuries have been reported so far.

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