High winds knock down large tree, power lines on I-80 in Vallejo
VALLEJO, Calif. (KGO) -- One of the biggest problems from Tuesday's high winds happened in Vallejo, where a tree and live power lines fell on Interstate 80.
All westbound and eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 have reopened after crews removed the tree onto the right shoulder. Officials say expect residual delays in the area.
VIDEO: Windy weather felled trees in cities across the Bay Area
The incident was reported near the Admiral Callaghan Lane off-ramp and initially blocked both directions of Interstate 80.
PG&E crews showed up at 5:30 p.m. and were able to take down a telephone pole line that had been knocked down.
Crews formed an assembly line to chop up the downed eucalyptus tree. Some used chain saws, while others cleared the branches.
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A gust of wind brought down a blue gum eucalyptus tree at 3 p.m. The trees branches spanned all of the eastbound lanes and a car was even hit by the tree as it tumbled down.
Then, on the westbound side there were live wires that crossed the lanes and something that came into contact with them was smoldering.
As a result, CHP completely shut down Interstate 80 as crews came to clear the live wires, which they have done.
All westbound lanes reopened at 4 p.m., and all eastbound lanes reopened just before 8 p.m.
An experienced arborist says blue gum eucalyptus trees are no match for very windy conditions. "It is very typical for them to uproot, they're a shallow rooted tree and these in specific have been cut down before and were left to re-sprout and that makes them more dense and top heavy," Chris Mazzera said.
The CHP is advising motorists to take Interstate Highways 680 and 780 as a detour.
Bay City News contributed to this story.
