Storm Causes Problems For BART in San Francisco, East Bay
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The massive storm that plowed into the Bay Area Wednesday was causing headaches for BART commuters, with a falling tree hitting a train in the East Bay, disrupting service for over an hour, and heavy rains flooding the Civic Center Station.
At around 5:45 p.m., the agency reported major delays in Antioch due to an obstruction on the tracks. Trains were reportedly being sent back in the San Francisco direction at the Pleasant Hill station according to comments on social media, but BART had yet to clarify the situation.
Major delay on ANTC line in ANTC and SFO dirs due to obstruction.
— BART Alert (@SFBARTalert) January 17, 2019
BART officials later clarified that a falling tree actually struck a train on the tracks between Concord and Pleasant Hill. While no one on the train was injured and the tree didn't cause any major damage, crews were working to remove the tree.
Here is what we know: a large tree struck a train car on trackway between Concord and Pleasant Hill. No one is injured and no apparent damage was found. Ground staff are working to remove the tree. Will update with more info. Sorry for the information. https://t.co/unZovbiVF4
— BART (@SFBART) January 17, 2019
BART service was partially restored after personnel were able to single track trains through the area where the tree fell.
Shortly after 7 p.m., BART tweeted that the tree had been removed and normal service was restored.
We are no longer single tracking on the Antioch line. The downed tree has been removed and normal service has resumed.
— BART (@SFBART) January 17, 2019
Earlier, heavy rainfall led to the temporary closure of Bay Area Rapid Transit's Civic Center station in San Francisco Wednesday afternoon because of flooding on the station platform.
BART said the flooding was caused by a leak from the upper level San Francisco Muni platform at Civic Center station. The station was closed at around 2:50 p.m. Wednesday.
Muni engineers were at the scene to fix the water leak issue as well as BART personnel.
BART trains were passing through Civic Center station but not stopping at the time, BART spokeswoman Anna Duckworth said.
Flooding was also reported on the concourse level just under the street level.
The station was reopened just before 3:30 p.m. The U.N. Plaza entrance to the station was still closed because of standing water.
Further information on Civic Center REOPENING: Trains are making stops at station. Water leak has been fixed. Platformed cleared of most standing water (please watch your step).
— BART (@SFBART) January 16, 2019
UN Plaza entrance will be closed for about 1 more hour to get standing water off street level. https://t.co/gNVxEHGNB8
The Bay Area was being hammered Wednesday by a strong storm that was bringing heavy rain and wind across the region.