Winter Storm Causes Trees to Fall Across Fullerton
Strong Winter Storm Causes Tree Damage in Fullerton Neighborhood
FULLERTON, CA — Residents in a Fullerton neighborhood were jolted awake by the sounds of falling trees as a powerful winter storm swept through Southern California on Tuesday night. The storm uprooted several trees, including one that crashed onto a home, although fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
The uprooted tree fell on Fern Street just after 11 p.m., awakening nearby residents. Isaac Freeman, who resides with his parents in the house behind the tree, recounted his experience. “It was loud! I was in bed and I remember hearing a slide sound; it was weird. And then we came out, and it was all the way across the street,” Freeman said.
Neighbor Jim Klein was also taken aback by the scene. “That’s when my wife actually was up, and she goes, ‘What’s going on out there?’” Klein noted. “And then I had to go out there and look and see what was going on. And the tree was across the road!”
City officials reported dozens of trees had fallen due to the strong winds accompanying the storm. A public works crew was dispatched quickly to clear the fallen tree from the street.
Just under a mile away, Rashad Sharif experienced his own shock when a pine tree crashed onto his roof just before 2 a.m. “I thought it was either an earthquake, or I thought someone had driven through the house,” Sharif explained. “That’s how loud it was. That’s how much it shook. I ran out and I saw the tree and the remnants of the tree inside the living room.”
Sharif expressed relief that he and his wife escaped unharmed. “Normally I stay up late, but Ramadan is starting, so I went to bed early. And that’s why I was not on the couch where the damage happened. The main thing is that, you know, we’re OK.”
A spokesperson for the city has advised homeowners experiencing damage from fallen trees to submit an online claim for assessment. Sharif is now awaiting an evaluation from the city regarding the next steps for his home.
Widespread Storm Impact Across Los Angeles
The turmoil caused by the storm extended beyond Fullerton. In Koreatown, three trees fell at the intersection of Serrano Avenue and 7th Street around 1 a.m. Wednesday, damaging two parked cars and nearly colliding with a person riding a scooter.
Additional incidents were reported, including a tree falling on 3rd Avenue in Arlington Heights, which also damaged a parked vehicle. In Woodland Hills, another fallen tree left streets near Victory and Fallbrook without power. Additionally, a portion of the 110 Freeway in San Pedro was closed due to downed power lines following a night of heavy rain and strong winds, though no injuries occurred in these cases.
Weather Outlook
Looking ahead, NBC Los Angeles meteorologists are predicting another round of rain for the region. Early morning showers are expected to develop into more widespread rainfall by mid-morning on Thursday, with total precipitation ranging from 0.25 to 1 inch throughout the area. This storm is anticipated to be the last of the week, with drier conditions expected Friday and into the weekend. However, chances of rain are set to return on Tuesday, February 24.
