Wind fells tree, blocks 84 and Skyline Tuesday

A fallen tree that blocked State Highway 84 at state Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard) in Woodside for more than four hours Tuesday night was cleared shortly after midnight, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

Crews from the sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, the California Highway Patrol, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and AT&T responded to Highway 84 where evening winds knocked down the tree along with power lines and telephone wires shortly after 8 p.m., CHP Officer Peter Van Eckhardt said.

Highway 84 was closed to traffic in both directions until lines were secured and restored and tree-cutters completed the removal process, which lasted until 12:15 a.m, Van Eckhardt said.

Around 370 PG&E customers in the Woodside area lost power from downed trees, some as early as 5:20 p.m., utility spokesman J.D. Guidi said. All customers had their power restored by midnight.

AT&T crews remained at the scene most of the night rewiring telephone lines to those still without service, work which was expected to be completed before sunrise, according to the sheriff’s office.

Winds throughout the Bay Area were expected to die down this morning (Wednesday), according to the National Weather Service.