KTLA

Santa Ana Winds topple trees, cause damage across Southern California

Damaging Santa Ana winds tore through Southern California on Thursday, knocking down trees that landed on cars and homes.

In Burbank, the Police Department posted an image of a tree that fell onto a home in the 2800 block of Victory Boulevard Thursday.

“Luckily, there were no injuries,” the Police Department stated in its post on X, formerly Twitter.

Officers urged residents to “stay safe out there” as they responded to several calls for service related to the wind.

1 / 13

More damage occurred when powerful gusts toppled a large tree in the Lake Balboa neighborhood on Victory Boulevard near Hayvenhurst Avenue around 2 a.m.

The falling tree also took out power lines and damaged multiple vehicles. Surprisingly, no injuries or power outages were reported in the area.

In San Bernardino County, a downed tree blocked one way in and out of a Rancho Cucamonga neighborhood Thursday morning. Around 8 a.m., a crew was seen using chainsaws to clear the roadway.

A fallen power line was reported in the 600 block of Manzanita Avenue in Sierra Madre shortly after 8:30 a.m.

“We ask that residents shelter in place until notified otherwise by PD. Avoid travel in the area and seek alternate routes,” the Sierra Madre Police Department urged residents.

Several downed trees were reported in the following locations:

Large trees also blocked streets in the 1700 block of Locust Street and near the intersection of East Villa Street and Allen Avenue, the Pasadena Fire Department posted on X.

High wind warnings were issued for many portions of southwest California, including parts of Los Angeles County, until 4 p.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service calls for north-to-northeast winds between 25 and 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

Affected areas include Valencia, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Van Nuys, Chatsworth, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Tejon Pass, Gorman, Wrightwood and The Angeles Crest Highway among others.

A high wind warning is also in place for portions of the Inland Empire and Orange County until 6 p.m. Thursday where north winds between 30 and 45 mph and gusts up to 75 mph were in the forecast.

The wind outlook for this week is provided by the National Weather Service on March 12, 2024.

The windy weather is expected to subside on Friday, according to the Weather Service.

Officials are warning residents across the Southland to expect downed trees and power lines throughout the day along with dangerous driving conditions. High-profile vehicles should use extreme caution.

Residents were also urged to secure outdoor objects and move lightweight objects indoors.