Early Wednesday morning in *San Anselmo*, a quiet residential street suddenly became the center of attention. A large tree crashed down across the 300 block of Redwood Road, drawing neighbors out and causing a bit of chaos.
The Central Marin Police Department shut down a section of the roadway to keep everyone safe while utility crews hustled to clear the mess. No one got hurt, and aside from the tree, property damage was basically nonexistent.
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Still, the closure rippled through nearby neighborhoods like Ross, Fairfax, and parts of Mill Valley. Commuters scrambled to find other ways around.
Early Morning Disruption in San Anselmo
At 6:15 a.m., police put out an alert, urging folks to avoid Redwood Road in the 300 block because of the fallen tree. Authorities said the closure was needed to clear the tree and fix any utility lines that might have been affected.
Emergency response teams and utility crews filled the area, which stayed off-limits for most of the morning. Traffic detours went up fast, sending drivers through downtown San Anselmo and onto streets like Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
Response and Road Closure Details
Work crews showed up within minutes of the alert. They started cutting and hauling away the debris right away.
Officials figured the road would reopen by about 2:30 p.m., so people had a rough timeline to work with. For locals and commuters, Redwood Road is a key connector—its closure shook up the usual traffic flow.
Impact Across Marin County Communities
The morning rush hour got pretty rough through Ross and Fairfax as drivers tried to dodge the blocked stretch. Small businesses along San Anselmo Avenue saw delivery delays.
Parents dropping kids at school in nearby neighborhoods had to improvise new routes. In Larkspur and Corte Madera, traffic stayed steady, but anyone heading toward San Anselmo noticed the backup.
Alternatives for Local Drivers
Police suggested a few alternate routes to keep traffic moving:
- Try Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to skirt the Redwood Road mess.
- Take Butterfield Road for access to Fairfax and the surrounding neighborhoods.
- If you’re coming from southern Marin towns like Mill Valley or Sausalito, plan for extra travel time.
By mid-morning, most folks had figured out new routes, but traffic still jammed up at key intersections in downtown San Anselmo.
Safety and Prevention Concerns
We still don’t know why the tree fell, but stuff like this always makes people wonder about infrastructure and tree management in Marin County. Older trees near roadways in towns like Ross and Kentfield can turn dangerous when it’s windy or wet.
Local officials keep reminding residents to report any leaning or unstable trees to city services. It’s a simple step that could prevent headaches like this down the line.
Continued Communication from Authorities
Police promised to update everyone once the road reopened. By early afternoon, cleanup crews were nearly done, and relief was finally in sight.
Regular alerts from the Central Marin Police Department kept residents from Tiburon to Novato in the loop about progress and reopening times. Not a bad example of how a little communication can go a long way during a hectic morning.
Takeaways for Marin County Residents
If you rely on Redwood Road every day, Wednesday’s incident was a jolt—a reminder that closures can hit out of nowhere. San Anselmo police and utility crews jumped in fast, keeping things from spiraling and making sure everyone stayed safe.
In Marin’s close-knit neighborhoods, whether you’re in the hills of Fairfax or by the water in Sausalito, people know communication matters when something goes wrong. Staying prepared helps keep small problems from turning into big ones.
No one’s sure yet if the tree fell because of weather or something else, but it’s got folks talking about how we protect our roads and keep backup routes open. The way public safety and utility teams worked together meant San Anselmo residents got moving again by mid-afternoon.
Honestly, it’s just another sign of how people here pull together when it counts. That’s Marin for you.
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Here is the source article for this story: Road Closed In Marin County Due To Downed Tree: Police
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