Wind and sand wreck havoc on Highway 50 East

SILVER SPRINGS - Blinding sand whipped by 70 mph winds closed a 5-mile stretch of Highway 50 east of Dayton for nearly five hours Tuesday after three accidents, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

"The blowing gusts created zero visibility, contributing to the accidents and causing the closure," said Trooper Chuck Allen.

Highway 50 from Boyer Lane to Silver Springs was closed about 11:30 a.m. and reopened about 4 p.m. following the minor injury accidents this morning.

"Most of the time, the wind was blowing so hard you couldn't see in front of your car," Trooper Mark Zacha said.

"There was one small accident and then, after that, small fender benders because people were trying to stop and couldn't see anything." In all, five cars were involved, Zacha said.

Gordon Mand, 33, owner of the Stagecoach Market, said he waited on the side of the road for the highway to reopen.

"I was coming from Carson and was stuck on the highway for three hours. You couldn't see anything," said Mand, who eventually made it to his market by 5:30 p.m. "What else could I do?"

School buses did not depart Silver Springs until nearly 4:30 p.m., leaving high school and middle school students waiting about two hours and elementary school students waiting for about one hour for their ride.

All 225 students who had to wait were home by 5:30 p.m.

Steve Clifford, director of transportation for the Lyon County School District, brought milk and cookies to children waiting in the Pony Express Room of Silver Springs Elementary School. Teachers volunteered to stay after school to supervise.

"It was quite crazy, but it went smoothly," said Jeannette Rand, principal's secretary. "There was no chaos whatsoever. Everybody volunteered wonderfully."

Students at the elementary school were not allowed to go outside for the first two recesses of the day because of gusty winds and blowing sand. By the afternoon, children were given the choice whether to play outside or remain indoors.

Trooper Nick Nordyke said Department of Transportation workers started to escort small groups of cars through the dust storm about 3:30 p.m.

He said some of the motorists who learned the highway was closed were impatient, while others were understanding.

"As you were going eastbound and dropped over the hill you could see why - it was a huge wall of brown dirt and blowing debris," he said.

Winds were expected to lessen today, according to National Weather Service forecasters. They predicted rain and snow showers, with wind gusts up to 35 mph.