Two separate crashes caused by extreme winds whipping across the state Monday afternoon shut down the southbound lanes of State Route 347 near Riggs Road.
Bart Graves with the state Department of Public Safety said the lanes would reopen soon after 3 p.m.
One crash involving four vehicles occurred near Riggs Road. Graves said the crash involved nonlife-threatening injuries, but did not know how many people were injured. They were taken to a hospital by helicopter.
Another crash south of the four-vehicle incident involved two vehicles. Two adult males and an infant were taken to Chandler Regional Medical Center by ambulance. Their injuries were also nonlife-threatening.
Graves said the department has responded to 30 weather-related crashes across the state by 3 p.m.
Later, Maricopa residents reported traffic accidents on northbound 347.
The following wind and dust advisory was submitted by the Arizona Department of Transportation early Monday:
The National Weather Service has issued high wind and blowing dust advisories for Monday. Interstate 10 (between Casa Grande and Phoenix, and between Tucson and the New Mexico state line) may be affected by high winds and blowing dust. Strong winds, with gusts up to 60 mph, are also expected along Interstate 8 in southern Arizona and Interstate 40 in the northern part of the state.
Blowing dust can quickly result in low visibility along the highway. ADOT urges drivers to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” when dust kicks up. Motorists are also encouraged to monitor changing weather conditions and avoid driving into dust storms.
