(Photo by Ron Badger)

The top part of the alignment tower on the hill overlooking the research yard tumbled over during a late December storm. The tower probably went over on the evening of December 30 and caused no other damage, according to John Weisend head of the Conventional & Experimental Facilities Department (CEF).

Weisend said the toppling tower was unusual for SLAC. "As far as I know it's the first time this has happened," he said.

The road going up to the tower has been closed and will remain closed until the fallen structure is removed. Weisend said he was not sure when the new tower would go up, but estimated about two months. An interim fix to the antennas on the tower will allow radio communications to continue on site until a modified top portion tower is installed.