Winds overturn semis on I-8 in East County

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Portions of I-8 were closed to high-profile vehicles in East County for several hours Tuesday after strong winds forced several tractor-trailers to overturn.

Caltrans San Diego posted on X at 8:19 a.m., saying that due to a wind advisory from Alpine to Imperial Highway, high-profile vehicles were being diverted off of I-8 east at Willows Road.

According to the California Highway Patrol in El Cajon, troopers responded to multiple crashes involving semi-trucks in that area.

The stretch of road that was closed to all high-profile vehicles was about 25 miles long. CHP announced on X that I-8 east at Willows Road was fully open for all traffic a little after 1:30 p.m.

Prior to that announcement, Caltrans San Diego said low-profile vehicles were allowed to continue driving on I-8 east. Westbound lanes of I-8 and State Route 98 at Imperial Highway were also closed to high-profile vehicles because of the wind earlier Tuesday.

A vehicle had also overturned on I-8 west at Buckman Springs Road, but the road has since reopened.

Troopers encouraged the public to find detours and stay safe.

ABC 10News sent a crew to the area to gather more information. By the time we got there, a tow truck had put an overturned semi back on its wheels, but you could see the damage.

Our journalists spoke to one of the drivers of the tractor-trailers that overturned.

"Oh, very bad, very bad," Gustravo responded when asked about the wind. "All the trucks must stop when the wind comes. I don't know how to say this... rippling all of the sudden. Yeah, sudden."

The closure created a back-up that stretched for more than a mile. CHP troopers told truck drivers they may have to wait until Wednesday to get back on the road.

As Caltrans said, people in cars can keep driving, but remember to be careful and give yourself extra time.