Part of Highway 13 in Oakland remains closed after a large tree fell across it on Thursday morning, blocking all lanes.
The eucalyptus tree, approximately 80 to 100 feet long, collapsed at approximately 7:13 a.m. near the onramp to northbound Highway 13 at Redwood Road. Some of the debris also landed on the southbound side.
The area has been closed to traffic and drivers approaching the scene are being diverted off the highway.
Approximately one dozen Caltrans workers continue to make progress clearing the fallen tree using chainsaws, but the cleanup is lasting hours due to the sheer size of the tree. There is no estimated time for when the road will reopen.
In addition, the onramp is flooded from the morning's heavy rain showers.
KCBS Radio Traffic reporter Victor Zaragoza said the best alternative route for drivers to get back on Highway 13 is either to take Redwood Road east towards Skyline Boulevard, which turns into Joaquin Miller Road, or continue on I-580 towards Highway 24.
California Highway Patrol Officer Edward Vega told KCBS Radio that "things like this do tend to happen when there’s rain out there. It's always prudent for people to drive carefully and slow down and prepare for unexpected things like this when it’s raining."
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