If you were planning to cruise down Riverside Drive this morning, you might want to rethink your route. Emergency crews are currently dealing with a fallen tree on Wilson Avenue, and the situation has gotten a bit more complicated with downed hydro wires now blocking traffic on Riverside Drive.

The London Fire Department took to social media early this morning to alert residents about the ongoing situation. According to their post, the tree came down on Wilson Avenue, but the real headache for commuters is happening on Riverside Drive where power lines have also fallen.

Eastbound traffic on Riverside Drive is completely blocked between Wilson Avenue and Belton Street while crews work to clear the scene and make the area safe. That’s a pretty significant stretch of road that’s now off-limits to drivers trying to get through the area.

The fire department is asking everyone to steer clear of the area entirely to give emergency crews room to work safely. When you’ve got downed power lines in the mix, it’s definitely not the kind of situation where you want curious onlookers or impatient drivers trying to squeeze through.

For anyone familiar with this part of London, you know that Riverside Drive between Wilson and Belton is a pretty busy stretch. The closure is likely causing some serious backup issues for morning commuters who normally use this route to get around the city.

Emergency responders are on scene working to clear both the fallen tree on Wilson Avenue and deal with the downed hydro wires that are causing the traffic blockage on Riverside. These kinds of incidents can take quite a while to resolve, especially when power lines are involved and utility crews need to be brought in.

The London Police Service media office was also tagged in the fire department’s social media post, indicating that police are likely helping with traffic control and keeping the area secure while the cleanup happens.

If you’re heading out in that direction today, you’ll definitely want to find an alternate route. Wilson Avenue, Riverside Drive, and the surrounding streets are going to be pretty chaotic until crews can get everything sorted out and the roads reopened to normal traffic flow.

The post from London Fire Department garnered significant attention from local residents, with hundreds of interactions as people shared information about the road closure and alternative routes with their friends and family.

Situations like this are a good reminder of how quickly weather and natural incidents can impact your daily commute. A single fallen tree can create a domino effect that blocks major roadways and disrupts traffic patterns across a significant area of the city.

The fire department’s social media update included multiple images of the scene, showing the extent of the damage and the emergency response currently underway. These visual updates help residents understand the severity of the situation and why such extensive road closures are necessary.

No timeline has been provided for when the roads might reopen, as these types of incidents involving both fallen trees and downed power lines can be complex to resolve safely.

The eastbound closure on Riverside Drive between Wilson Avenue and Belton Street remains in effect while emergency crews continue their work.