Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Melrose Ave. Ext. in Tryon closed after tree blocks road

 

TRYON—A large tree fell across Melrose Ave. Extension in Tryon on Wednesday evening, taking some power lines down in the process and leading to the temporary closure of the road.

The Town of Tryon sent out an alert at approximately 7 p.m. on February 28, informing the public that the tree had fallen and lines were involved.

Tryon Fire Department Public Information Officer Steven Siler says multiple trees have come down in the area. Wind gusts of up to 55 mph were experienced in the county.

“Duke power has been notified,” Siler said. “There are downed trees all over Tryon and Columbus, as well. Both areas were hit pretty hard.”

According to Duke Power’s website, approximately 510 customers were experiencing outages as of 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Officials also say a tree fell and caused significant damage to a house on Hogback Mountain Rd., and trees were down on Meadowlark Dr., Lakeshore Dr. and Mimosa Rd. in Tryon. Another tree was reported down on Skyuka Rd. in Columbus.

Gowensville Fire Department provided assistance in Tryon, and the N.C. Forest Service assisted in Columbus with a fire that resulted from burning power lines.

Siler said the Tryon Fire Department responded to 10 calls within one hour Wednesday evening.