UPDATED 4:45 p.m. – Edison is reporting that 481 customers are without power as crews work on replacing the pole. It is unknown when power will be restored. Boundaries of the outage: Newhall Avenue on the north, Meadowridge on the south Valle Del Oro on the west and Shepard Canyon on the east.

4:30 p.m. – All lanes are open on Newhall Avenue.

A power pole knocked over in a traffic accident on Newhall Avenue at Meadowridge Drive caused a power surge down the street and a traffic nightmare during early rush hour today.

Two people were injured, one critically, one moderately in the crash and Edison has shut off a 16,000 volt power line in the area to make repair.

The initial accident, which was reported shortly before 3 p.m., involved two cars and the pole on Newhall Avenue. The downed pole caused power to surge in the line and wires to arc at the power pole located at Pine and Market Streets in Newhall.

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Sheriff’s deputies have closed the westbound lanes of Newhall Avenue from Sierra Highway to keep vehicles out of the area.

Drivers in the area are advised to use caution as there may be exposed and downed wires near Meadowridge Drive. Edison crews are shutting down the 16,000 volt line in order to make repairs. At this time, it is not known when power will be restored.