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.
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.
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.
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.
The Bay Area was being hammered Wednesday by a strong storm that was bringing heavy rain and wind across the region.
