Death toll climbs in I-55 pileup in Louisiana: 8 dead, 63 injured
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More than 160 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup Monday on I-55 near Manchac. Photo: Courtesy of Louisiana State Police
The death toll climbed Tuesday in the massive pileup on Interstate 55 near Manchac. Authorities now say eight people are dead and 63 were injured.
- At least 168 vehicles were involved.
Driving the news: Authorities removed the last of the crashed and burned vehicles on Tuesday and have begun cleaning the roadway so it can be fully assessed, according to Louisiana State Police.
- A preliminary inspection from the Department of Transportation and Development found "multiple areas requiring bridge repairs," police said Tuesday evening.
- A comprehensive inspection will be done once the bridge is completely clear of debris, diesel and other chemicals.
Zoom in: A testing consultant could begin scanning the bridge deck Tuesday night "to determine the extent and scope of the repairs needed," the LSP statement said.
- The timeline for fully reopening I-55 will depend on the results of the inspections.
What's open: A section of I-55 North reopened Tuesday at I-10 West, but it is being diverted at Ruddock, according to DOTD.
- I-55 South remains closed and is being diverted at Highway 51.
- Check traffic and alternative routes.
Between the lines: If your car was towed, email Louisiana State Police at [email protected] to find out where it was taken.
- You'll need proof of ownership to get your vehicle and your belongings at the tow yard.
Zoom out: Monday's deadly pileup is being blamed on super fog that dropped visibility to less than 10 feet.
- The super fog was a combination of dense fog and smoke from nearby marsh fires, according to the National Weather Service.
- NOAA on Tuesday released a timelapse video of the super fog that was visible from space.
How to help: Give blood, authorities urge, to replenish supplies used to treat victims on Monday.
- The Blood Center has donation locations across southeast Louisiana.
What's next: Super fog may form again during the weekend, says NWS meteorologist Danielle Manning.
- Until then, winds are expected to keep dense fog from forming. Patchy, light fog is possible, though.
Between the lines: Super fog is different from smog, the NWS says.
- Smog is caused by pollution interacting with fog. Super fog forms when fog interacts with smoldering organics, such as brush, leaves and trees.
The big picture: Fires are burning near Bayou Sauvage and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.
- The fire in New Orleans East is burning underground in forested wetlands between Bayou Sauvage and the Michoud Canal, city officials say.
- It's burned about 200 acres and "any form of suppression efforts from above the surface has had little to no effect extinguishing the fire," officials said Monday.
- New Orleans firefighters are working with the property owner, with the Sewerage & Water Board and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to clear a path so they can use water from the drainage canal to flood the area.
- Here's a good video explainer from the Weather Channel about why marsh fires are hard to fight.
The Lafitte fire is 52% contained, according to the National Park Service, which operates the park.
- It affects 147 acres, and fire crews from seven states and four federal agencies are fighting it.
- The cause of the fire remains under investigation, NPS spokesperson Meredith Hardy tells Axios.