PECOS, TX — High winds throughout West Texas caused severe driving conditions with little to no visibility on Friday, January 17. Anyone traveling to and from the Permian Basin is advised to drive with caution and seek alternate routes as driving conditions worsen. Numerous crashes have already been reported.
Multiple crashes, as reported by the Texas Department of Public Safety, occurred on US 285 near County Road 424, causing the entire highway to be shut down. All northbound and southbound lanes are closed until further notice.
Crash on US 285 on Friday, Jan. 17
(Credit: Texas Department of Public Safety)
Here are the driving conditions outside of Garden City, TX, on Friday, Jan. 17.
Driving conditions in West Texas on Friday, Jan. 17
(Credit: Facebook.com/Sotero Lorta)
Driving conditions in West Texas on Friday, Jan. 17, outside of Garden City, TX
(Credit: facebook.com/Sotero Lorta)
Here is a list of all reported traffic collisions in and around West Texas, specifically the Permian Basin, on Friday per the Facebook group West Texas Oil Field Traffic Update:
- 285 N of Pecos between 302 and Pecos- Multi-vehicle crash. The highway is closed at this time and for the foreseeable future. There will be extended delays.
- 285 @ I-20—Multivehicle. Due to zero visibility, Emergency services are attempting to get to this crash and begin clearing, causing extended delays.
- S 349 between Rankin and Midland
- multiple crashes along the roadway.
- 30 minutes from midland
- near Barnwell SWD
- 349 @ CR113- multi-vehicle accident
- 1555- unconfirmed if it's crashed or just condition, but just before the WTG Benedum plant.
- SCR 1210 between WCR 140 and WCR 150- 2:42 update SB lane is open
- 137 N of Big Lake- multiple crashes along the roadway
- Battle Axe- 6 miles from J1. Hydrovac overturned
While none of these crashes happened in Lubbock, if anyone has plans to travel to the Permain Basin on Friday or throughout the weekend, weather conditions are not expected to improve. High winds throughout the South Plains continue to pull more dirt into the air, causing the visibility conditions in Lubbock to deteriorate.
This was Lubbock as of 3 p.m. on Friday.
Lubbock, TX, on Friday, Jan. 17.
(South Plains LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
The Texas Department of Public Safety urges drivers to consider the road conditions before climbing behind the wheel. DPS says safety first in these situations. Weather conditions are not expected to improve as temperatures drop to near freezing this weekend and into the beginning of next week.
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