Storm and winds keep CHP busy. Really busy.

Prunedale took a real hit today, pounded by high winds and rain.

The CHP reports that a majority of the calls made to its Communication Center involved the Prunedale area.

A large tree blocking all the lanes of US-101 shut down the freeway from 8am to 2pm. Highway 156 also closed between 8am and 3:30pm.

The CHP says at one point it was dealing with 92 incidents. As of 5pm, dispatchers handled more than 1,000 calls.

Those calls involved everything from an 18-wheel truck tipped on its side due to high winds to trees and power lines blocking roads.

The CHP reports that Highway 1 had a fairly quiet day, with just a few minor traffic collisions.

For those who still need to get on the road this evening, the CHP would like to remind everyone to slow down and keep an eye out for downed trees and power lines.

“Just because the lines are not sparking does not mean they are not active,” according to Oscar Loza, public information officer with the Monterey Area CHP.