SACRAMENTO, Calif. — High-speed gusts of wind caused trees to fall throughout the Sacramento area Tuesday, leading to damage, power outages and blocked roads.
One decades-old eucalyptus tree fell from a Sacramento family’s yard across South Land Park Drive near 43rd Avenue, partially blocking traffic for several hours. Nobody was hurt and no homes or vehicles were damaged.
“It is really sad to see it go because it’s been there for so long,” said homeowner Ananda Rochita. “It was a good shade tree, and it helped me on my energy bills, my electric bills, which I loved.”
She said she was about to set up a trimming appointment for the tree, but the wind had other plans. Eucalyptus trees have shallow root systems, which make them susceptible to falling over in high winds when the ground is saturated with water.
“I feel like I’m just really grateful that it didn’t hit the house or my neighbor’s home too, so I’m just kind of thinking positively,” she said.
Her positivity includes gratitude that the 350-year-old oak tree in her backyard isn’t the one that fell in the wind.
“I’m hoping the oak tree survives. It’s been around for so, so long -- for centuries!” she said.
Over in Sacramento County’s Lemon Hill neighborhood, people living near MLK Jr. Boulevard and 44th Avenue jumped into action when a tree fell near powerlines.
“I was sitting across the street on the stairs and the tree fell,” said neighbor Shanaye Jones. “We came out here and started moving it and then somebody came out here with the chainsaw... and started cutting it, and we just started just moving it off the street.”
She said she thinks the county should have responded sooner. A CHP officer who arrived on scene told neighbors the county was on its way and busy responding to multiple fallen trees in roadways. Neighbors finished clearing the street before the crew arrived.
“That’s awesome: a bunch of people, you know, jumping in to help,” said neighbor Kyle Orr. “A lot of people around here have each other’s backs, and it’s nice when people have the community impact as well.”
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