More than 3,400 homes, offices, and commercial establishments around Manteca High School were left in the dark Friday evening when strong winds caused a power pole to snap like a giant pencil, sending dangerous live wires scattered on the ground and dangling precariously overhead.

The electric pole, which snapped at a point about three feet above the ground, was located at the east end of Mikesell Street, in front of the Manteca One Day School.

Emergency crews from Pacific Gas & Electric Company immediately responded to the scene. No injuries or additional damages were reported as of press time. The incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m.

About the same time, the city sent out calls for all off duty and reserve fire department personnel to report to their stations to better deal with the ongoing emergencies caused by the inclement weather which brought on a combination of strong wind gusts and rain, which occurred later in the evening.

Classes at Manteca High were already dismissed at the time of the power outage; however, there were still several students and staff who were around.

The sudden power outage left several customers at Sadie’s Beauty Salon and The Wright Touch Hair by Sheri with hair partially done. It wasn’t known what alternative arrangements were made between the hairdressers and their customers. The beauty salons are located in the block along East Yosemite Avenue just east of the high school campus. The Manteca Bulletin was left with no  power as well.

A section of Lathrop was also affected with power outage reported along Harlan Road in Lathrop around the time the incident at Mikesell Street occurred.

It was business as usual later in the evening at Manteca High when electricity was restored shortly after 6 p.m.

To contact Rose Albano Risso, email ralbanorisso@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3536.