Downed electric lines cut power throughout Walnut Creek

High winds knocked down live power lines in several locations in Walnut Creek, closing roads, and darkening homes, traffic lights, and businesses, including Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

As of about 2:20 p.m., PG&E was reporting about 540 customers without power in eastern Walnut Creek, due to a downed along Homestead Drive and Marshall Drive. PG&E says that power outage began around 11:30 a.m.

Shortly before, I had been out and about and saw two downed wires along Newell Avenue. One was between the gas stations at South California Boulevard, and the other was located on a residential portion of Newell near Olympic Boulevard. Power was out at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods (Yes, I was trying to do some grocery shopping) and at scattered intersections.

A man was doing pro bono traffic control at the intersection of Newell Avenue and Magnolia Way. He had jumped out of SUV and was warning Newell Avenue through traffic from going through. A half hour earlier, he had been passing along that stretch, when he saw behind the power line snap, and "lots of white smoke." Residents along Newell reported that their power was out.

Power for customers in eastern Walnut Creek is expected to be restored by 6 or 6:30 p.m.