WINDS, FAST-MOVING RAIN BATTER AREA
Several trees come down, causing more power outages
California's latest atmospheric river brought fast-moving rain and howling winds to Monterey County Tuesday as the storm moved quickly down the Central Coast, leaving a mess of road closures and power outages in its wake.
From Point Lobos to Pacific Grove, Highway 1 was closed at several locations — in several directions — by Tuesday afternoon as downed power lines and fallen trees forced traffic to find an alternate route.
According to California Highway Patrol spokesperson Jessica Madeno, a hard closure of Highway 1 from Rio Road — near the Carmel Area Wastewater District — to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve was put in place Tuesday morning
as multiple trees and power lines fell over the roadway.
The hard closure in both directions came after a pedestrian walking along Highway 1 was sent to a local hospital after getting caught under a falling tree.
Madueno explained that CHP crews were working on clearing away a downed tree near Point Lobos when an additional tree fell down nearby. That tree fell onto a driver who had stepped out of his car, she said. Emergency crews on scene transported the man to a local hospital after he sustained “major injuries” from the downed tree, Madueno said.
Further up the road, an additional closure of Highway 1 was in place as power lines blocked its southbound ramp onto Holman Highway.
Madueno described conditions as “unpredictable” and urged people to avoid roadways while weather continued
to play a factor in safe travel. In a social media post, Monterey County said, “This