Parking under an overpass.

[Todd Lemery]

I just noticed on social media that there were cars blocking all movement both directions on a freeway in St Louis because it was storming out. These idiots parked on all lanes under an overpass while under a tornado warning. They put at least hundreds of people at risk of being killed by the tornado. Jerks like these are another reason to avoid big cities like the plague while chasing.

 

[JamesCaruso]

I was tempted to try to get to the Creal Springs IL storm from the north by driving south down I-57. Decided against it because the storm was moving 50+ mph and I didn’t think I could make it before the hail core encroached on the road. Good thing I didn’t attempt it, because I’ll bet some drivers did the same thing on that interstate too.

Incredible that people think it’s OK to block a highway like that.

 

[Matt Zumbrunn]

I was tempted to try to get to the Creal Springs IL storm from the north by driving south down I-57. Decided against it because the storm was moving 50+ mph and I didn’t think I could make it before the hail core encroached on the road. Good thing I didn’t attempt it, because I’ll bet some drivers did the same thing on that interstate too.

Incredible that people think it’s OK to block a highway like that.

We have interstate highway running through our fire district. It is one of our most dangerous places to work. Nothing surprises me on the interstate.

 

[Dave C]

One of many reasons I won't chase near metros.

This should be a license revocable offense to stop traffic on a major roadway for any reason ever, unless a vehicle was disabled or an accident occured or the roadway is unpassable. This is nothing short of reckless endangering of hundreds of lives to avoid some hail damage. Idiocy, protests, weather, or any other reason to impede or close a road by members of the public and should not be permitted and carry very serious consequences.

 

[James K]

Its bad enough when people block the right lane to do that (which I have seen)... but wow to block the entire highway.
Talk about rude, inconsiderate & not to mention dangerous.

The simple fact that underpasses are likely to flood would be reason enough to keep me from stopping there.. then there's the wind-tunnel effect.. and a big one: all that traffic!

And in the city, that honestly sounds like a good way to get yourself rammed from behind...or even shot! There's allot of crazy people out there, and city highways are places where tempers flare.

Ofcourse other than the personal danger one is putting themselves in, there's everyone else who's blocked on that highway..

 

[Dan Robinson]

Yep, you have to plan for this. People do it everywhere, even in pea-sized hail. If a healthy VIL core is about to overtake a highway, I consider that road out as an intercept/escape route especially in a place like STL.

 

[G Diaz]

I’ve seen this stuff yesterday. Idiots thought there was a tornado on the ground near U.S 75, so they parked under the overpass. Turns out, it was just a weird cloud.

 

[RachelDonoghue]

I think this is ignorant of these people. Have they not learned from the 1990's? For years it has been advised not to take shelter under an overpass. These people who are parking under the overpass are causing danger to themselves and others. This was just an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Rick Schmidt]

They don't care. They are going to do it anyway. And most of them are like lemmings.

 

[G Diaz]

They don't care. They are going to do it anyway. And most of them are like lemmings.

They’re going to be reeeaaal shocked when their car is thrown 25 miles away.

 

[John Farley]

I think most of them do it to get out of the hail. Very selfish, getting many others stuck in the hail and creating a hazardous situation for everyone behind them.

 

[Dave C]

This happened again in CO yesterday. This is the first year I have seen full lane blockages (both directions) under overpasses, even morons in high clearance trying to park on the angle of the overpass. This truly needs to be a more severe crime with a real consequence like licence revocation or car impound.

At least CSP issued tickets to the entire lot of morons on Friday that they found, but it should be much worse than a ticket to do this because a deterrence to EVERY idiot out there is needed. Hail happens, insurance is available. Closing a road to be a selfish idiot could get people killed, or prevent hundreds of others from getting out of the hail or worse a tornado path. Not to mention if visibility got low enough as it does in some duststorms, I could see a semi plow into the lot like bowling pins if the backup was not too long yet.

There is absolutely no excuse especially now that everyone has tornado warnings and radar on their phones. People can do better not to plow into the bright purple/white spots on a weather radar app, or a black cloud, or skirt to close to these things. Just some basic planning can get anyone safely off the road if they are worried.

Another solution would be an overpass that slowly lowers down and crushes the blockage and pushes it out, like a trash compactor (ok I am joking about that part, mostly).

 

[John Farley]

Dave, I can assure you this is not the first year there have been full lane blockages under overpasses, but it may well be getting worse. There seems to be no limit to people's stupidity and selfishness.

 

[John Farley]

It happened again Monday in New Mexico. Looks like only one traffic lane was blocked, but that is one too many. The NWS appropriately called them out, but I doubt they care.

Higher temperatures, scattered rain to hold steady in Santa Fe this week

Despite predicted consistent weather in Santa Fe, a severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for Eastern New Mexico until late Monday.

www.santafenewmexican.com

 

[Jeff Duda]

Until we see state patrol offices rounding up entire groups of drivers who all parked under the same overpass into the same court room for the same court proceeding to all be cussed out by a judge, I highly doubt we will see this behavior change. People are just too self-centered to do anything different.