High Winds Cause Tree To Fall, Sparking Power Outage In Petaluma

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma police advised drivers Friday afternoon to avoid Petaluma Boulevard South near Mountain View Avenue, where high winds caused a large tree to knock down a power line.

Power was out in the area and traffic was blocked on both northbound and southbound Petaluma Boulevard South, the Petaluma Police Department said in a Nixle alert at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

According to police, motorists heading south should take I Street to 6th Street, head south on 6th to Mountain View and then take Mission Drive to McNear Avenue.

Motorists heading north should take McNear Avenue to Mission Drive, then go right onto Mountain View and left onto 6th Street.

"Police, Fire and Utility personnel are on scene," police said. "Please drive slow in the area."

In another incident Friday in Petaluma, a driver became tangled in power lines on Caulfield Lane. The roadway was blocked for about 30 minutes from St. Francis Drive to South McDowell Boulevard.

"The driver of the vehicle that was entangled in the power lines was uninjured and the vehicle has been removed," police said.

At least 1,500 PG&E customers were initially without power Friday in Petaluma because of one or both incidents.

By 6:30 p.m., the number was down to 500 customers and by 6:42 p.m., there were 90 customers without power in the city, according to PG&E.