Dense smoke, reminiscent of last month's "super fog" that enveloped Louisiana, resulted in a tragic crash and the closure of Interstate 10 in the New Orleans area on a fateful Tuesday morning, as reported by the police.
New Orleans police cited smoke, fog, and multiple vehicle accidents as the reasons behind the thoroughfare's closure, which occurred around 4:30 a.m, as per Local10.
New Orleans Highway Closure Amid Super Fog Accident
Fortunately, by late afternoon, all eastbound lanes of the interstate had reopened, while the westbound lanes were partially accessible as crews worked tirelessly to clear the road.
Motorists navigating the area captured videos showing cars vanishing into the thick smoke. Sarah Trimble, a witness, shared her experience of being unable to see the tail lights of the truck in front of her as she crossed railroad tracks on her way to work.
Another video, recorded by Connie Fiorella, depicted cars being engulfed in smoke, with the vehicle just ahead nearly disappearing from view, save for the outline of its brake lights.
The National Weather Service explained that the smoke from fires near New Orleans had become trapped beneath a shallow atmospheric layer near the ground along Interstate 10 in eastern Orleans Parish. This led to dangerously low visibility for motorists, with some able to see only a quarter-mile (400 meters) or less.
Christopher Bannan, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service near New Orleans, commented, "All that smoke has nowhere to go." In some areas within the thick smoke, people could see a clear sky during the day or stars at night. However, looking horizontally, they were unable to see ahead of them.
The National Weather Service issued a dense smoke advisory, cautioning drivers about the hazardous conditions. The thick smoke also significantly reduced visibility along Interstate 55 in Louisiana, further exacerbating the danger on the road.
Unfortunately, few details were available about the motorist who tragically lost their life in the crash on that fateful Tuesday. Police identified the victim as a man who died after being transported to a hospital, according to AP News.
Super Fog Disaster Sparks Safety Awareness in New Orleans
This incident occurred just weeks after a similar "super fog" event led to a massive multi-car pile-up and numerous crashes, resulting in seven fatalities and multiple injuries. These incidents have raised awareness in the area, prompting residents to take more precautions while driving.
Super fog is a weather phenomenon resulting from the interaction between smoke and moisture, typically released from damp, smoldering organic material like leaves and brush, mixing with more fantastic, moisture-laden air. This causes particles from the smoke to attach to water molecules, resulting in a thicker fog.
Super fog, a technical term used by meteorologists, can lower visibility to less than ten feet and becomes especially hazardous over highways when it occurs. Unlike smog, which is caused by man-made pollutants, super fog is strictly an organic occurrence.
Tyler Stanfield, an NWS meteorologist in New Orleans, clarified that super fog is "strictly an organic occurrence," unlike smog, primarily caused by non-organic pollutants such as vehicle emissions and industrial dust.
Recent incidents of super fog in the area have prompted concerns. Still, it's important to note that the increased severity of these incidents may be influenced by heightened levels of drought in the region, leading to more prolonged marsh fires that contribute to super fog formation.
Although this week's super fog event cannot be directly attributed to climate change, rising global temperatures have compounded the issue. An exceptional drought in Louisiana has created drier conditions, increasing the likelihood of super fog occurrences.
Louisiana has implemented "burn bans" to reduce fire smoke in the air and minimize the risk of further super fog incidents. Forecasters advise drivers in foggy conditions to slow down, allocate extra travel time, and use low-beam headlights and tail lights to maintain visibility. High-beam headlights should be avoided as they can cause glare and hinder visibility on the road, Independent reported.