Fog area…

On the drive to Florida we always discuss the “Fog Area”, which is near Calhoun, TN.  Fog is common in this area due to the combination of mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes.  The Fog Area is approximately 19 miles of fog lights, 8 fog detectors, 22 speed detectors and gates on the on/off ramps.  The reason for the lights, detectors, etc., is because Dec. 11th, 1990 there was a 99 car pile up due to fog…12 people died and 42 people were injured.   The accident happened due to fog that drifts over I75 north and south, generally early morning.  I75 goes over the Hiwassee River, which is part of the reason for the fog…this is where the worst fog occurs.  It is always under observation and when dense fog occurs this area is closed and vehicles are rerouted until the fog has dissipated, but those who are caught in this area when the fog is present are given the following instructions when driving through: follow the speed limit, do not slow down, do not stop!

We have driven to Florida eight or nine times, so total of 16/18 times driving through this area, and have always been fortunate to go through later in the day, without fog.

On the way home from Florida this year we drove through that area around 9:00am and experienced light fog.  As we drove over the Hiwassee River I looked to my right and saw what looked like a solid white, wall of nothing, it was so close I could almost reach out the window and touch it.   I realized we were fortunate to go past the river when we did or we would have been engulfed in the dense fog…

This is a photo I took driving through the area(I wasn’t driving).  We were almost through the fog area…I was watching the fog so it took me awhile to realize I should take a photo…unfortunately I only have the one!  As you can see it was very light fog here, for which we were thankful for after seeing the dense wall of fog over the river…

http://itchyfish.com/the-fog-lights-have-been-activated-on-i-75/

http://newschannel9.com/news/local/i-75-fog-zone-closing-flashbacks-to-25-years-ago

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/30759466/heavy-fog-closes-i-75-days-after-anniversary-of-deadly-fog-related-crash