On May 1st, near Springfield Illinois on Interstate 55; about 90 cars, trucks, and semi’s collided killing 7 people and hospitalizing 37 due to a dust storm. Dust storm fatalities are hard to track, but the American Meteorology Society reports about 272 fatalities occurred (27 per year) between 2007 and 2017. Dry soil conditions due to a drought, land disturbance due to freshly tilled soil from planting, and high gusting winds are the root cause (or lack of roots) blamed for this accident which occurred over a 30-mile stretch. Dust storms occur when fast moving winds pick up soil (dirt) and debris, launching it airborne, creating conditions where visibility is greatly reduced and even breathing can be difficult. If the storms persist, this dust can travel for thousands of miles before being deposited in another location. This loss of topsoil is not only hazardous to those who experience it, the consequences can last decades or centuries in reduced soil productivity. Dust storms h...