A Public Information statement released by the National Weather Service in Tucson indicates that five car accidents, resulting in 2 fatalities occurred today (Saturday, Nov 28th) on I-10, two miles southeast of Picacho.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
414 PM MST SAT NOV 28 2009

*** 2 FATAL, 1 INJ *** TOTAL OF 5 ACCIDENTS REPORTED ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR MILE MARKER 214 DUE TO LIMITED VISIBILITY IN BLOWING DUST. ONE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN 2 CONFIRMED FATALITIES AND 1 SERIOUS INJURY.

If you are caught in a dust storm the National Weather Service recommends the following:

If dense dust is observed blowing across or approaching a roadway, pull your vehicle off the pavement as far as possible, stop, turn off lights, set the emergency brake, take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated. In the past, motorists driving in dust storms have pulled off the roadway, leaving lights on. Vehicles approaching from the rear and using the advance car’s lights as a guide have inadvertently left the roadway and in some instances collided with the parked vehicle. Make sure all of your lights are off when you park off the roadway. Don’t enter the dust storm area if you can avoid it.

If you can’t pull off the roadway, proceed at a speed suitable for visibility, turn on lights and sound horn occasionally. Use the painted center line to help guide you. Look for a safe place to pull off the roadway. Never stop on the traveled portion of the roadway.

A news story, from a media outlet in Tucson, regarding these accidents can be viewed by clicking the link below:
http://www.kvoa.com/news/dps-investigating-five-separate-collisions-along-i-10/

For a more complete list of weather hazardous, click on the link below:
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/psr/general/safety/index.php