A Break in the Rain Gives San Francisco a Chance to Clean Up after Weekend Storm
SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco, like most of the Bay Area, is drying out and surveying the damage after a windy storm swept through the region over the weekend. The city faced power outages and fallen trees, causing disruptions and challenges.
Dealing with Power Outages and Fallen Trees
Residents and authorities had to endure the effects of the storm as power outages and fallen trees impacted daily life. The fury of the storm was evidenced as approximately 300 incidents were reported, with one notable incident occurring on Dolores Terrace in San Francisco’s Mission District.
Duncan McNaughton, a witness to the tree incident, expressed how the tree had been a concern for years, finally succumbing to the storm on Sunday night. Although the tree caused damage, fortunately, no serious harm was done to the surroundings.
San Francisco’s Department of Public Works reported approximately two dozen major incidents involving fallen trees blocking roads and downed power lines. A tree in the Excelsior District caused significant damage to a car, with the associated power lines still carrying electricity.
Emergency Measures and Grateful Responses
Denman Middle School had to close on Monday as a result of power loss. However, despite the challenges, San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management confirmed there were no reports of casualties or injuries resulting from the storm. In cases where there is an immediate danger caused by a fallen tree or branch, authorities advised residents to call 911 for assistance.
Mary Ellen Carroll from San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management emphasized, “If a human is in trouble, if it’s a life safety issue, we want you to call 911 and if it’s just storm related, 311 is good.”
San Francisco’s Department of Public Works and various contractors worked tirelessly, assisting with cleanup and hazaradous tree removal. The determined efforts of city workers were specifically appreciated by Mayor London Breed, who witnessed the aftermath first-hand. Mayor Breed commended the joint response of the people of San Francisco and city workers in overcoming the challenges.
Long-Term Strategies and the Weeks Ahead
San Francisco’s Department of Public Works noted that last year’s harsh weather conditions had already caused significant damage, resulting in the fall of weaker trees. Consequently, this year’s storm was less severe in terms of tree damage compared to the previous year.
Authorities have since been working to prevent further tree incidents by consistently pruning trees vulnerable to storm damage. Although the storm has cleared, the city still faces the arduous task of removing all downed trees and broken branches, a process that may take several weeks to complete.
While clearing weather in the immediate forecast suggsets that San Francisco has a chance to dry out, the long-range forecast indicates the possibility of more storms in the coming weeks.
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San Francisco storm cleanup
Like most of the Bay Area, San Francisco is getting a break in the rain and that means a chance to clean up and survey the damage from this weekend’s storm.
