Even with skies finally clearing over Southern California, trees continue to fall as a result of a week of heavy rain and strong winds.
The Los Angeles Zoo announced it would be closed Thursday so crews could remove downed trees and debris. In Woodland Hills overnight, a tree toppled onto a two-story home at 5041 N. Alhama Drive. No injuries were reported.
Dozens, if not hundreds, of trees fell as the third wave of a storm system moved through the Los Angeles metropolitan area on Wednesday.
A massive Torrey pine tree crashed down in Brentwood Wednesday morning, jolting residents awake while knocking down power lines.
Downed trees were also reported in Pico Union, Sawtelle, Elysian Park, Eagle Rock and many other neighborhoods.
“We had a tree two, three weeks ago that fell down exactly the same way,” said Rosalyn Firemark, a Brentwood resident. “It missed the neighbor’s house by a hair. It’s 130-foot trees falling over. It’s terrifying.”
“Our neighbor, they moved out of their house because they’re afraid of getting killed,” said Kenneth Elconin, another resident. “So if one of these trees falls down on us, that’s the end of us.”
“And we’re standing next to about 20 of the same kind of trees,” noted another local, William Salmon. “It’s unnerving.”
In Santa Fe Springs, the saturated ground and high winds took down four trees at Los Nietos Park.
“If I drive around in my scooter or take my grandkids, now I’m thinking, ‘Hey, I’ve got to watch out now,'” a neighbor told KTLA.
In Beverly Crest, the storm had a different effect – treacherous mudslides.
Plenty of dislodged mud was seen tumbling down the hillside of a home, pulling down trees and destroying a power pole.
Authorities closed a section of Mulholland Drive due to mudslides, while utility workers were forced to cut power during repairs.
Two residents were evacuated from the home after city officials say an old retaining wall made of timber was no match against the elements.
“The additional water precipitation can likely allow that to slough even more,” explained Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Erik Scott. “We don’t want people driving by, walking their pets or bicycling and get struck.”