Talking Points: I-55 Dust Storm

Background:

High wind speeds blowing dust created low or zero visibility conditions, causing dozens of vehicles to crash and shutdown I-55 between Divernon and Farmersville on Monday, May 1, 2023. At least six people were killed and more than 30 injured. About 30 commercial motor vehicles and 40-60 passenger cars were involved in the crashes.

On social media and in subsequent media reporting on the dust storm and crash, Illinois Farm Bureau has documented a few cases in which farmers were blamed for the hazardous road conditions. For example, Illinois State Police said in a statement issued on Monday that “…The cause of the crash is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility.”

These talking points are intended to assist IFB staff and farmers in responding to questions about farmers role in the May 1, 2023, hazardous road conditions crash.

Holding Statement:

“Illinois Farm Bureau is closely monitoring the details of the accident along I-55 near Farmersville. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those, and their families, involved in the accident. We would also like to thank the emergency personnel who responded. This area of Illinois is currently 1-3 inches below normal rainfall in the last 30 days, creating drier than normal conditions, coupled with consecutive days of high winds. Unfortunately, these weather conditions contribute to these dust events, which can cause low visibility on roads. We remind people when approaching low visibility to ensure their headlights are on and, if reducing speed, to turn on their hazards.”

Headline Messages:

Mother Nature is unpredictable. Unfortunately, the high winds on May 1 hit as many farmers are in various stages of planting season.
Planting naturally disturbs topsoil, but farmers use many best management practices to prevent soil loss and erosion, such as reduced tillage, no-till and cover crops. Farmers also look for places along farm fields for fence rows and tree plantings.
For this time of year, cover crops would have already been eliminated from the field to prep for spring planting.
Certain areas of Illinois are experiencing drier than normal conditions.
These periods of sustained winds typically happen in Central Illinois at least once a year.
This combination of dry weather and high winds contribute to hazardous conditions and low visibility on roads.
No field activity was occurring in the field at the time of the dust storm and accident. There is no indication of when the fields along I-55 were prepped for planting.
Farmer involvement in state and federal conservation programs are currently at an all-time high and will lead to additional best practice implementation in the future.

Conservation:

Farmers are at the forefront of climate-smart farming, putting scientific solutions, technology, and innovation to work to protect our land, air and water.
Every year is a learning experience where you’re constantly building better knowledge and considering new strategies or adjusting current ones.
This is a long-haul effort, not a sprint. Farmers will continue to evaluate research, find the best fit for their fields, and make steady progress in this space.
Illinois Farm Bureau is leading the way in policies that reduce emissions, enrich the soil and protect our water and air, all while producing more food, fiber and renewable fuel than ever before.