High winds shut down area roads

BARSTOW — Gusty winds Wednesday morning closed area roads as drifting dust and sand obscured vision and slowed traffic.

Minneola Road was still closed just south of Yermo Road as of 4 p.m. Wednesday, said California Highway Patrol officer Taj Johnson.
“The dust is sweeping across the road,” he said.

In Newberry Springs, Harvard Road closed at Fort Cady Road around 8 a.m. after about three feet of sand covered the roadway, Johnson said.

One bus got stuck in the sand with two children on board on their way to Newberry Springs Elementary School, said First Student bus company contract manager Lisa Morris. Another bus picked the children up and took them to school. The entrenched bus was towed out of the sand.
Morris said buses occasionally become stuck in the sand.

“It usually happens a couple times a year,” she said. “We have a sand storm out there, and the river bottom drifts sand, and it covers up the road.”

A downed power line temporarily closed North First Avenue at Irwin Road at around 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, rerouting all Fort Irwin-bound traffic to Interstate 15.

The National Weather Service reported wind gusts reaching nearly 55 miles per hour during the day with sustained winds between 25 and 30 miles per hour.

Johnson said several wind advisories remained for the Barstow area and south to San Bernardino. He said drivers should slow down in high winds, keep both hands on the wheel and drive in the middle of their lane.

Staff writer Abby Sewell contributed to this story.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4121 or aaron_aupperlee@link.freedom.com