Louisiana 18-Wheeler Blown Over By Severe Storm Winds On I-10

A frightening video captured the moment powerful winds from a severe thunderstorm pushed an 18-wheeler onto its side while the truck was traveling across the Bonnet Carré Spillway on Interstate 10 Monday afternoon.

The crash happened around 2:40 p.m. Monday, August 24, near the St. Charles and St. John the Baptist Parish line. Video obtained by WWL Louisiana shows the tractor-trailer beginning to lean as strong winds sweep across the bridge before the truck eventually topples onto its side.

WWL Chief Meteorologist Chris Franklin shared video credited to viewer Jerry Hanna and attributed the rollover to strong, straight-line winds associated with severe thunderstorms.

According to WBRZ, the 18-wheeler was reportedly empty at the time, which could have made the trailer especially vulnerable to powerful winds.

Louisiana State Police Says Driver Suffered Minor Injuries

The crash forced authorities to close I-10 West near mile marker 212 as emergency crews worked to clear the overturned commercial vehicle.

Louisiana State Police initially reported that traffic was being diverted onto the shoulder and urged drivers to find alternate routes.

According to WWL Louisiana, the driver suffered minor injuries. The closure lasted for more than three hours and caused congestion stretching for miles, reportedly reaching the I-310 split.

At approximately 5:50 p.m., Louisiana State Police announced that the vehicle had been recovered and I-10 West had reopened. Troopers warned that residual congestion could remain in the area and urged motorists to use caution.

Video Is A Scary Sight For Louisiana Drivers

Severe weather is frightening enough when you're behind the wheel. Watching a tractor-trailer get physically pushed over by the wind makes the danger feel much more real.

It's an especially unsettling sight in Louisiana, where drivers routinely travel across long and exposed bridges.

WATCH VIDEO HERE

From the Bonnet Carré Spillway and Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in southeast Louisiana to the I-10 Twin Span and the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, motorists can find themselves traveling for miles with relatively little protection from strong crosswinds.

Monday's video offers a dramatic example of how quickly conditions can deteriorate.

Why High Winds Can Be Dangerous On Louisiana Bridges

Bridges and elevated roadways can leave vehicles more exposed to wind, particularly when severe thunderstorms produce sudden, powerful gusts.

Large vehicles such as tractor-trailers have another concern because their trailers provide a large surface for crosswinds to push against. An empty or lightly loaded trailer can be particularly susceptible to strong winds.

In Monday's case, video shows the trailer beginning to lean before a powerful gust appears to push the entire rig onto its side.

The footage looks like something out of a movie, but it unfolded on one of Louisiana's busiest interstate corridors.

Louisiana Drivers Should Take Severe Weather Seriously

Louisiana thunderstorms can develop quickly, especially during the summer months. Heavy rain can reduce visibility while standing water, lightning and strong wind gusts can make driving conditions dangerous within minutes.

If severe weather is approaching, drivers should pay close attention to weather alerts and road conditions before crossing long bridges or exposed stretches of highway.

And if conditions become too dangerous to safely continue, finding a safe location off the roadway and allowing the strongest part of the storm to pass may be the better option.