I-55 at mm 51 now open after downed power lines had it closed - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

According to Trooper Clark Parrot, I-55 is now open at mm 51.

The Interstate was closed for more than two hours, not because cars were blocking the way, but because power lines were.

Power lines fell across the highway during the storm, and hung about a foot and half above the pavement, creating a blockage, which prevented cars from getting through.

Authorities had to close down both sides of the Interstate for more than two hours while they cut power to the lines, and then cut the lines.

Drivers said they just had to camp out.

"Sit and wait you can't go back you cant go forward," said Yvonne Smith of Texas.

"As you would imagine just very boring to sit here and you wonder why those people can't solve a problem it looks as if you have to clip something," said Chuck Hesse of Florida.

They say they couldn't believe what was going on.

"We saw people were jocking for a position to stop, and this is where we stopped and I couldn't imagine what was wrong I saw the cables across and thought maybe someone"s trying to pull out a car with cables after I walked up there I noticed it was power lines and it was just unbelievable," said Hesse.

"I wanted to know why nobody went in down the road then I discovered there's cables 18 inches above the road stopped two vehicles," said Irving Smith.

Drivers say it was very hard to see due to the heavy rain and dust.

Reporter Christy Millweard and photog Mike Mohundro said power lines were on the interstate at mile marker 51 and they were also dealing with lightning in the area.

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