UPDATE: Sunset Boulevard Reopens After Tree Snaps, Falls

Update 2:50 p.m.: Palisades Patrol reports both eastbound and westbound lanes of Sunset Boulevard are reopened after being closed most of Friday due to a downed tree.

Dispatcher Denice Montelongo said the tree is completely removed and there is no excess debris. The traffic signals on northbound and southbound Pacific Coast Highway through the Palisades are also all working, she said. Caltrans is still at the PCH/Temescal Canyon Road intersection after resetting the signal there, which caused numerous delays.

It's undetermined how the tree snapped early Friday morning, Montelongo added, as neighbors who live in the condominium directly behind the tree did not know how it happened.

"Thankfully, no one was hurt," she said.

Update 11:15 a.m.: The tree is currently still down and all lanes east and west bound Sunset Boulevard are still closed. Palisades Patrol reports a small crew is on scene attempting to clear as much as possible while a larger crew from the West Valley Department of Transportation division is expected by 12:30 to 1 p.m.

Palisades Patrol Dispatcher Denice Montelongo also reports that southbound Pacific Coast Highway about quarter-mile past Las Flores Canyon Road is still experiencing heavy traffic due to the down traffic signals at Pacific Coast Highway and Temescal Canyon Road.

She said a traffic collision between a vehicle and motorcycle is adding to the heavy congestion at PCH and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. A vehicle vs. motorcycle. Topanga Canyon Boulevard to the PCH is backed up from the 500 block.

Original: All of Sunset Boulevard at Marquez Avenue is blocked Friday morning after a tree snapped at its base and fell, according to Palisades Patrol. As of 6:24 a.m., the estimated time of removal is approximately three hours.

The first report of a traffic hazard blocking the eastbound and westbound lanes of Sunset Boulevard came at approximately 3:55 a.m. Patrol Officer Ryan Krusi said he was approached by a man who actually drove through part of the tree, leaving minimal damage to his vehicle. There were no injuries reported.

Krusi said an LAPD unit arrived and blocked off traffic in both directions between Marquez Avenue and just east of Palisades Drive.

Palisades Patrol says Highland area residents must make a right onto Sunset westbound to continue to Pacific Coast Highway.

Commuters are recommended to take PCH to Chautauqua Boulevard and return to the Palisades village center due to traffic signals at PCH and Temescal Canyon Road being down.

No further accidents have been reported.

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