High winds wreak havoc in Utah

GRANTSVILLE — High winds gusting up to 70 mph knocked over a semi on I-80 in Salt Lake County and made a Tooele County fire more difficult to fight Tuesday night.

A high wind warning remained in effect late Tuesday in northern and central Utah, and National Weather Service forecasters in Salt Lake City warned that the winds will push southeast on Wednesday.

In Tooele, strong winds knocked several branches off trees and some roof shingles were torn off.

Fire crews from Grantsville North Tooele Fire responded to the fire at 1251 Mack Canyon Road and the wind helped spread the fire to a haystack, Grantsville Police officer Darrin Yates said.

Officials estimated damage was at least $30,000 and said the barn was completely destroyed.

High winds also left 7,500 residents in East Millcreek without power Tuesday evening and technicians were still trying to find the outage source late Tuesday so that power could be restored. Rocky Mountain Power officials said there were several small power outages in various areas of northern Utah.

The Utah Highway Patrol said the semi was travelling west on I-80 near 11320 West when it was knocked on its side by the strong winds. The semi was on the right side of the road and did not block traffic. Tooele County later placed restrictions on I-80 for high-profile vehicles because of two semis knocked over by heavy winds after 10 p.m.

Salt Lake International Airport dispatchers said the high winds didn't cause any delays but a few road signs had been knocked down.

— Lana Groves