Tree Knocks Out Power, Traffic Signals on US 331 South in Freeport
A tree struck a power line on Old Jolly Bay Road in Freeport on July 30, triggering a power outage that knocked out traffic signals along US 331 South from Highway 20 to the Clyde B. Wells Bridge.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office issued a traffic alert shortly after the outage, warning drivers that signals along the 331 South corridor were dark and urging extreme caution in the area. When traffic signals are not working, Florida law requires drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop — coming to a complete stop and following standard right-of-way rules: first come, first served, yield to the right, and yield when turning.
The affected stretch of US 331 South is one of Freeport’s primary transportation arteries, carrying commuters between the city and the coastal communities south of the Choctawhatchee Bay. The Clyde B. Wells Bridge, which spans the bay, serves as the main link between Freeport and the South Walton beach communities along Highway 30A. Signal outages on this corridor can cause significant backups during afternoon and weekend traffic.
WCSO confirmed in a follow-up post at 4:51 PM that traffic signals on 331 South in Freeport were back in operation, bringing the brief disruption to a close. The agency did not report any accidents or injuries related to the outage.
Drivers are reminded that when traffic signals are dark or flashing, state law requires treating the intersection as a stop-controlled crossing. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office regularly posts real-time traffic and safety updates on its social media channels.
Originally reported by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Walton County Sheriff’s Office (Update).
