Live storm updates: Hwy 1 closure in Pacifica expected to last through evening commute

It was a traffic nightmare on Highway 1 in Pacifica as both directions near Manor Drive shut down since about 6 a.m. Thursday due to a utility pole that fell during the storm, causing fiberoptic lines to come down across the freeway.

It was a traffic nightmare on Highway 1 in Pacifica as both directions near Manor Drive shut down since about 6 a.m. Thursday due to a utility pole that fell during the storm, causing fiberoptic lines to come down across the freeway.

It caused a mess during peak morning commute times and it looks like the evening commute will also be impacted.

Caltrans District 4 spokesperson Jeneane Crawford said they don't expect Highway 1 to fully reopen until about 8 p.m.

Drivers have been taking side streets to get around the closure while crews work to replace the pole and clear the lines.

"In Pacifica, there's only one way in one way out and if you happen to get on the freeway, you're stuck," said Pacifica resident Randy Maynard.

A utility pole on Palmetto Avenue fell during the storm, that brought heavy winds and rain. Fiberoptic lines came down across the freeway and a driver hit the downed lines, said Jeff Higgins, North County Fire Authority spokesperson.

"Causing minor damage to her car," Higgins said. "From what I was told, she went ahead and safely was able to get her car pulled over where North County fire authorities - fire department - was able to attend to any needs of her. She was fine. There were no injuries reported."

At one point, thousands in the area were without power.

Traffic lights were out throughout the region, including at Skyline Boulevard in San Bruno.

The Chevron on Milagra Drive in Pacifica was impacted.

"For two hours, I didn't have no power so I couldn't sell no gas," said George Cordero, a cashier at the Chevron in Pacifica.

"It was dark in our house," said Pacifica resident Brittny Casey. "I was like, 'oh wow ok.' And then just trying to get my son to school this morning, it was interesting. There was no lights on."

A high surf advisory remains in effect until Friday morning.

Higgins said they encountered other issues Thursday.

"The wind, the rain, downed power lines or cable lines throughout Pacifica and Daly City," he said. "We have had reported tree limbs falling down."

For now, if you need to travel in the area, your best bet is to take Skyline Boulevard or 280.

The PG&E outage map shows power has been restored to most in the area.

Highway 1 in Pacifica is closed in both directions after a utility line came down on the roadway Thursday morning, causing power outages that have since been restored.

Highway 1 in Pacifica closed in both directions at the Manor exit Thursday morning after utility lines came down on the roadway.

It caused a traffic nightmare at peak morning commute times.

Xfinity crews have since worked to remove them, but repairs are still being made.

Many residents woke up without power, with Pacifica seeing over 10,000 outages Thursday morning. Those have since been restored.

In Amador County, three adults were rescued after getting stranded in the snow on Mormon Emigrant Trail.

In Amador County, three adults were rescued after getting stranded in the snow on Mormon Emigrant Trail.

It took crews several hours to locate them due to the dangerous conditions and rough terrain.

Rescue crews had to navigate through a mile of snow to bring them to Highway 88, where they could be transported to the hospital.

The three had been missing since Monday afternoon. They were brought to safety around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Crews found the bodies of eight backcountry skiers and are searching for one more who remains missing after an avalanche in the Castle Peak area near Lake Tahoe, authorities said Wednesday, making it the deadliest U.S. avalanche in nearly half a century.

Authorities have told the families the mission has moved from rescuing people to recovering bodies, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said during a news conference.

Full story here.