Darkness

Our LCCI brethren report that darkness has befallen Ferndale and send in the above image to confirm. OK. We believe you. 

Word is a car hit a pole just off of Fernbridge. KHUM’s Mike Dronkers is on the scene snapping photos. Said PGE guy on site: “You may not want to stand under that pole, it’s all live right now.” The calves near the hot line are being evacuated.  

LoCO’s CHP Watch notes that Highway 211 is closed between Coffee Creek Road and Waddington Road. Additionally, two of the vehicle’s occupants were transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital with what were thought to be minor injuries.

The trusty PG&E outage map shows a wide swath of the Eel River Valley to be without the juice. They estimate that 1440 customers are currently affected and project that they’ll have things working again by 6:15 p.m.

Just in time for dinner.

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UPDATE, 9:30 p.m.: CHP press release:

On March 3, 2015, at approximately 3:05 P.M., Nathen Towne-Fausone was driving his 2005 Jeep Liberty eastbound on Substation Road, east of Waddington Road.  The Jeep Liberty had a small trailer in tow as it traveled at approximately 35 MPH approaching a right curve in the roadway.  Towne-Fausone failed to negotiate the curve in the roadway and ran off the road, colliding with a power pole.   The Jeep and trailer came to rest in the field adjacent to Substation Road.  Towne-Fausone and his 3 year old male passenger were transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. 

Emergency personnel from the California Highway Patrol, Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department, Ferndale Police Department, City Ambulance, Suddenlink, and Pacific Gas and Electric responded to the scene. 

Due to damage to the power pole and low hanging power and utility wires, SR-211 remained closed until approximately 1800 hours.  One way controlled traffic was in place on Substation Road where a detour allowed traffic to bypass SR-211.  Upon reopening SR-211, Substation Road was closed as Pacific Gas and Electric crews are expected to remain on scene throughout the night until power is restored to the Ferndale area.