Route 66 travelers who want to take a short side trip to Las Vegas, New Mexico, from the Santa Fe Loop had better change plans for at least a few days. A wildfire of nearly 140,000 acres around Las Vegas has prompted evacuations on the west side of the city and briefly jeopardized its water-treatment … Continue reading Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires
Category: Weather
Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena
A fire sparked accidentally by maintenance work on Tuesday destroyed the 19-foot-tall Frecs the Miner statue along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. Renee Charles, president of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association, stated in a Facebook post that sparks during repair work on the statue's arm fell inside the structure and set it ablaze. Undeterred, … Continue reading Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena
Wildfires near Route 66 corridor in west Amarillo destroy four homes, burn nearly 150 acres
A wind-whipped grass fire Monday afternoon on the west side of Amarillo, Texas, burned nearly 150 acres and destroyed four homes and 11 outbuildings. The fire occurred mostly in the Indian Hills neighborhood in west Amarillo, where an old alignment of Route 66 runs. Update: the #CadillacFire in Potter County is 128.8 acres and 60% … Continue reading Wildfires near Route 66 corridor in west Amarillo destroy four homes, burn nearly 150 acres
Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6
The Route 66 town of Edwardsville, Illinois, and the surrounding area continue to be in shock and sorrow after a powerful tornado Friday caused the collapse of an Amazon distribution center, killing at least six workers. According to reporting by the Edwardsville Intelligencer and St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspapers, the roof and 11-inch-thick concrete walls collapsed … Continue reading Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6
Fire destroys long-closed Goffs General Store
A suspicious fire Tuesday destroyed the landmark but long-closed Goffs General Store in the Mojave Desert village of Goffs, California. Here's the initial report from San Bernardino County Fire: Numerous 911 callers stated smoke and fire showing from a vacant store. Crews arrived to find a vacant building approximately 50% involved. The building, formerly the … Continue reading Fire destroys long-closed Goffs General Store
“Extensive” fire damage at Sunset Village apartment complex in St. Robert
A local media outlet reported "extensive" damage from an early morning fire Sunday in St. Robert, Missouri, at Sunset Village of the Ozarks, which serves mostly as retirement housing in the region. One resident told KY3-TV that residents jumped out of windows to escape the fire. The Pulaski County Daily News reported that one person … Continue reading “Extensive” fire damage at Sunset Village apartment complex in St. Robert
Blowin’ in the wind: Porta Potty cruises down Route 66 in Albuquerque
Albuquerque motorists on Route 66 on Tuesday were treated to a weird sight: a wind-blown Porta Potty scooting down the Mother Road. Roll tape: https://youtu.be/-qHCwWpuISU KOAT-TV in Albuquerque broke the story from a viewer: The port-a-potty was seen blowing down the street near Central and Tramway early Tuesday evening.At this time there is no word … Continue reading Blowin’ in the wind: Porta Potty cruises down Route 66 in Albuquerque
Section of Route 66 in Mojave Desert will remain closed for several more years
Those who've waited for San Bernardino County to reopen a lengthy, storm-damaged section of Route 66 in the Mojave Desert will have to wait a while longer. ROUTE Magazine reported in a Facebook post Wednesday part of the historic highway likely will remain closed likely through at least part of 2023: According to the Department … Continue reading Section of Route 66 in Mojave Desert will remain closed for several more years
Storm-damaged Mutts restaurant operator seeks a second chance
The operator of Mutts in Oklahoma City is seeking a second chance -- much like the second chance he's given his employees -- after a storm damaged the restaurant a few weeks ago. The Oklahoman newspaper reports Mutts owner Omar Molina has been busy cleaning the property at 1400 NW 23rd St. (aka Route 66) … Continue reading Storm-damaged Mutts restaurant operator seeks a second chance
Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead
A tornado flattened the Budget Inn Motel along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, and killed at least two people. The twister also hit a trailer park and several businesses along the U.S. 81 (aka Route 66) corridor in the city about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, The Oklahoman reported. “I think El Reno Oklahoma needs a … Continue reading Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead