Downed tree on Hwy 78 in Walton County Tuesday night causes multi-vehicle crash

Officials urge caution on roads in advance of Tropical Storm Helene

One of the vehicles towed away from a 5-vehicle crash on Highway 78 resulting from a downed tree on Sept. 24, 2024. Contributed photo.

WALTON COUNTY, GA (Sept. 25, 2024) – Georgia State Patrol Assistant Post Commander Sgt. Christoph Ayers said it was a tree that was across Highway 78 near Edmonson Road Tuesday night that caused a crash involving five vehicles. He said the crash was worked by GSP TFC Anderson 176,

“Through his investigation he was able to determine a tree was down across both lanes of travel and that five vehicles had struck it,” Ayers said. “This resulted in one complaint of injury, nobody transported by ambulance and two vehicles towed with damage.”.

It is not known what caused the tree to come down across the roadway. However, weather predictions for the impact of remnants of what is expected to be Hurricane Helene by the time it makes landfall in Florida tomorrow is likely to cause more problems on local roadways. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a State of Emergency for Georgia and local officials are urging caution if travel is necessary.

“The main advice I would suggest is to prepare in advance so that people can stay off the roadways as the storm moves through,” Monroe Fire Chief Andrew Dykes said. “If travel is necessary, it’s best to wait until daytime hours to better see potential hazards, including standing water in addition to downed trees, utility lines, etc.”

Walton County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Craig League said they are preparing to activate the local emergency operations center today and will have a briefing with the National Weather Service and Georgia Emergency Management Agency this afternoon. Walton County Emergency Management Director Carl Morrow is working on planning for the activation.

“As storm tracks and timelines solidify we will have a better idea of when it could be activated,” League said. “We’ve seen forecasts for anywhere from 5-10 inches of rainfall through Friday. Typically when we get that much rainfall we have roads washed out. It’s usually the same roads, Crosslane, Vine Street, Criswell Road, Dean Hill, Rowe Road etc. Best advise is stay home, don’t try to cross flooded roads.”

League said WCFR is supplying all apparatus with chainsaws supplies, gas, oil, and other equipment that may be needed.