405 Reopens After Power Lines Fall Across Lanes

A downed power line fell across the 405 Freeway on Thursday, causing collisions and closing lanes in both directions near Magnolia, the CHP reported. A Sigalert was called, but lifted by about 6 p.m.

No one was seriously hurt, but the downed lines caused car crashes in both directions of the freeway and backed up traffic for miles during rush hour, California Highway Patrol Officer Gabe Montoya told City News Service.

The lines fell across the freeway just after 2:45 p.m., Montoya said. By 3:30 p.m., southbound traffic was backed up to the Garden Grove (22) Freeway and northbound traffic was jammed from the 55 Freeway, Montoya said.

Some motorists turned around and drove in the wrong direction to exit the jammed freeway, according to CHP incident logs.

Meanwhile, Fountain Valley Police said traffic signals were out at the intersections of Brookhurst Street and Heil Avenue, and Warner Avenue and Bushard Avenue. Officers were on scene doing traffic control.

, officials said.

Southern California Edison workers were in the area before the lines went down, but it was unclear how they ended up on the freeway, Montoya said.

Firefighters from Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and the Orange County Fire Authority were on the scene.