New Orleans Car Accident: At least 2 confirmed dead in massive pile-up crash on I-55 near New Orleans.
The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff reports that two persons were killed in a series of multi-car pileups in low visibility, prompting the closure of Interstate 55 in both directions northwest of New Orleans.
Wildfires in marshes that have been simmering since July erupted. For the past two days, the smoke and fog have combined to choke out most of Greater New Orleans. Dense Fog Advisories were issued by the NWS for the majority of southern Louisiana and Mississippi. This fog was dubbed “super” by meteorologists. Visibility was reduced to less than ten feet as moisture was discharged from the soggy, smouldering marshes.
About eighteen tractor-trailers wrecked on northbound lanes just before nine in the morning. Three of those were completely consumed by fire. Southbound lanes were blocked by another multi-car chain reaction accident. There is an 11-mile backlog, according to the Louisiana Department of Traffic Development.
Authorities claim there was a third significant pileup. The remaining mishaps happened close to the big three. It called on several agencies to help. Even crews on vacation have been brought in.