Traffic in both directions on U.S. 64 West was slowed for several hours Friday due to a large number of downed power lines just west of the junction of U.S. 19/129.
According to the initial 911 report, the incident was caused by a man in the area cutting a tree, which fell on the power line. That caused the pole to lean, and at least 10 lines to come loose and fall, with the majority of the lines crossing U.S. 64 diagonally and coming to rest on a hill on the opposite side of the road.
The pole that the wires originated from appeared to be bent and leaning slightly. Several homes and businesses in the area were left in the dark as crews from Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp. worked to assess damages and restore power.
State troopers, Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies and volunteer firefighters assisted with traffic control.