TOOWOOMBA traffic descended into chaos when power was cut for most of the day due to yesterday’s high winds.

Intersections with traffic lights in North Toowoomba were without power including lights on Hume Street between Margaret and Bridge streets, Ruthven Street between James and Jellicoe streets and on West Street from 1pm.

Ergon Energy said it was believed the wind caused power lines to spark in the Withcott area.

There was also a grass fire and power lines were brought down.

About 5000 customers in North and East Toowoomba without power from 11am.
While fixing the powerlines, Ergon Energy patrols found several broken crossarms, which couldn’t be fixed until early today.

To rectify the problem, customers without power were switched to a different substation by 4.30pm.

Power wasn’t expected to be switched until 6.30pm.

Police officers directed traffic at the intersections during the outage.

However there was a three-vehicle crash at the West and Bridge streets intersection at 1.12pm. No-one was injured.