I-90 in E. Washington closed due to blowing dust

Interstate 90 between Moses Lake and Ritzville in Eastern Washington is closed due to blowing dust and poor visibility.

The Washington state Department of Transportation closed the freeway around 1:30 a.m. Sunday between milepost 179 near Moses Lake and milepost 220 at Ritzville.

The freeway remained closed Sunday afternoon, along with other roads in Grant and Adams counties.

Transportation officials have no estimated time for reopening the roadway.

Emergency management officials in Adams and Grant counties are asking people to stay off the roadways, as blowing dust has caused numerous multi-vehicle accidents on many local roads.

One accident, involving two semis and three passenger vehicles happened around 2 a.m. between Ritzville and Moses Lake, injuring eight people.

Washington State Patrol Sgt. Mike Rupert said Sunday afternoon that visibility in the worst of the dust storm was about five feet and when it lets up, visibility is still only about 20 feet.

"It's impassable," Rupert said.

The National Weather Service has issued a dust storm warning through 5 p.m. Sunday for much of Eastern Washington.