Large Tree Falls in Power Lines, Blocks Access for 50 Lake Oswego Residents

Photo: Lake Oswego Fire Department

(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.) - This morning at 8:11 am a large tree fell across Lakefront Rd. at McVey Avenue in Lake Oswego. The tree took down power lines and other utility lines as it fell. Lake Oswego Firefighters secured the scene and denied access to the area due to the power lines tangled in the fallen tree.

PGE crews responded to take care of the power lines and Lake Oswego firefighters along with maintenance personnel worked to clear the downed tree. The road was reopened to traffic around 11:00 am

The residents of about 50 homes where not able to come or go during the event. The City of Lake Oswego Emergency Dispatch Center used a program called Code Red to send a message by phone to residents on Lakefront Rd. alerting them to the closure. Code Red is a high speed high volume message system that is used to notify residents in the case of an emergency. The system typically will send out information to a specified geographic area.

Battalion Chief David Morris, a fire department spokesman, said "We are coming into a time of year where we see more trees falling. Many times the trees involve power lines. At times you can not tell if a power line is still energized or it may be hidden under leaves and branches. It is best to call 911 if there is a possibility of power lines involved. Touching a energized power line can cause seriously injury or kill someone."

Source: Lake Oswego Fire Department

Larger tree photos: Tree across Lakefront Rd Lake Oswego