Update: Storm Traffic Hazards All Around Mother Lode
Update at 2:40 p.m.: The wet weather is wreaking havoc on the Mother Lode roadways. In Tuolumne County, the CHP is on the scene of a vehicle versus tree crash on Big Hill Road near Cedarcrest Road in the Yankee Hill area. The vehicle flipped on its side heading about 50 feet down an embankment landing up against the tree. There is no word on injuries at this time.
In Calaveras County, officers are working a vehicle versus embankment collision on Highway 49 and Redhill Road, between Carson Hill and Angels Camp. The wreckage is blocking the northbound lane.
Update at 1:10 p.m.: Traffic hazards continue to plague the Mother Lode roadways as the wet stormy weather lingers. Just as the CHP is clearing a crash or down tree into power lines another hazard occurs. These are the current road conditions:
In Tuolumne County, the hardest hit is the Mi Wuk Village/Sugar Pine area south of Highway 108.
On Haiapo Road near Lama Road, there is a downed tree blocking the roadway. In the 24000 block of Golf Links Drive near Pine Lake Drive another tree came crashing down and brought live power lines with it onto the roadway. At the Highway 108 and Leisure Drive intersection, a vehicle slid and became stuck in the snow blocking a section of the highway.
In the Pinecrest area also on Highway 108 at the Pinecrest Lake Road intersection, a grader is stuck in the snow blocking the highway. The CHP reports a tow truck is on the way.
In Calaveras County, above Arnold in the Blue Lake Springs area, Highway 4 has been closed at the Moran Road/Blue Lake Springs intersection due to heavy snow covering the roadway. Officers are on scene directing traffic and there is no estimated time given for when the highway might reopen. Also, in Arnold, a tree is down on Lilac Drive south of Highway 4 in the Lilac Park area blocking the roadway.
Update at 11am and below written by BJ Hansen: The CHP has cleared some of the earlier traffic hazards, but new incidents continue to pop up in the Mother Lode region.
There are multiple vehicles now stuck in the snow on Kiku Lane near Paipu Road in the Mi Wuk Village area.
In Calaveras County, power lines are reported down on Highway 4 near Hunter Dam Road up above Hathaway Pines.
In the Arnold community, there remain numerous incidents. A tree is down, along with a PG&E line, in the 2900 block of Flume Court. PG&E lines are also down in the 3400 block of Venado Drive and along Nugget Court near Fairway Drive.
In the San Andreas area, a tree has fallen along Highway 49 near Fourth Crossing.
Also, a car has spun out in the rain on Highway 108 near Stockton Street in Sonora.
Original story posted at 9:30am: Sonora, CA — Travel with caution today, especially if you are heading to the higher elevations.
Based on the number of incidents reported to the California Highway Patrol, the area around Arnold, and above, along the Highway 4 corridor, is among the hardest hit by the winter storm system.
The CHP reports that there are traffic hazards involving downed PG&E lines in the 300 block of Russell Drive, 3400 block of Venado Drive and the 1700 block of Pine Cone Drive.
There is also an unknown traffic hazard on Highway 4 near Blagen Road.
In addition, Highway 4 is closed in the Dorrington area near Meko Drive due to heavy snowfall.
In Tuolumne County there is a rockslide reported on Highway 120/New Priest Grade and Caltrans has been requested to respond.
There are unspecified traffic hazards on Highway 108 near Chief Fuller Road, Highway 108 near the Sugar Pine RV Park and Highway 108 near George Drive.
Carry chains and allow yourself extra time when heading to your destination.
