Crime & Safety

Lightning-Loosed Powerlines Shut Down SR 54 for Hours

Cars crashed into powerlines that fell on State Road 54.

Two cars ran into downed power lines on State Road 54 Tuesday, leaving a section of the road blocked for three hours.

At around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, lightning struck a power line on the west side of Old County Road 54 at the intersection of Old County Road 54 and State Road 54, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A high voltage power line running north and south above State Road 54 came loose and fell across the east and westbound lanes of State Road 54.

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Two cars were travelling west on State Road 54 and collided with the downed wires: A 2012 Hyundai Elantra and a 2012 Toyota Corolla.

This left the State Road 54 blocked for three hours, according to troopers.

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There were no injuries, according to troopers.

Pasco County Sheriff's deputies rerouted traffic onto Mitchell Ranch Blvd.  Power was temporarily cut at State Road 54 & Rowan and Rowan & Trouble Creek. 

All lanes were reopened Tuesday and power was restored.

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