A series of thunderstorms during the Easter weekend brought relief to dry conditions, but strong winds caused a power outage and downed trees.
Rain on Friday and Saturday was the first measurable precipitation for Ruston in nearly three weeks, with less than one inch reported at the Ruston Regional Airport from Good Friday through the weekend.
Ruston utility crews were on the scene within minutes Friday afternoon after a large oak fell to completely block Maple Street during a brief thunderstorm. Power was knocked out in the Barnett Springs – Maple Street area when electric lines were pulled down and at least one utility pole was damaged at about 3:30 p.m.
Repairs were delayed by the need to remove the large water oak tree. Uprooted by high winds, the tree was yards from the roadway in the lawn of a private residence.
Equipment on a utility pole had to be replaced before workers could repair the downed lines.
Power was restored about nine hours after the storm at about 12:15 a.m. Saturday morning.
A tree toppled by the same storm fell on a Skokie Drive duplex as well.
Lincoln Parish remains under a burn ban; no word from parish officials on whether the weekend’s rainfall is sufficient to lift the ban.
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