Soggy soil and high winds proved too much for a giant oak tree in Pleasanton, California. A neighbor watched as the tree fell on the building. Twenty people were in the church, but no one was hurt. Despite the rubble, the pastor continues to plan Sunday services.
PLEASANTON, California. – A church in Pleasanton, California was destroyed after a giant tree fell on it during recent atmospheric river storms in the area.
A neighbor took video of the massive trees blowing in the strong winds on Tuesday when she noticed one beginning to fall on the 147-year-old church.
“Oh my god, that’s the tree,” Brianna Armario said in the video. “Oh my god oh my god.”
The scenery seems incredible under blue skies, but the wind was up to 40 mph all day and would gust up to 34 mph.
So far this year, the area has received over 11 inches of rain. The region typically sees about 14.5 inches of rain in a full year. The wet ground yielded slightly to the weight of the oak.
The roots came out of the ground as the tree fell in what appeared to be slow motion. The ancient oak ripped the tree and part of the building out of what appeared to be smoke and drywall dust in a cloud.
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In nearby Livermore, another tree destroyed a carport and the corner of an apartment building on Tuesday. If you look closely at the second floor, a bunk bed sticks out. A teenager was on the bottom bunk when the tree fell. He was shaken but not injured, he told FOX 2.
(FOX Weather)
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The pastor’s wife told FOX 2 KTVU that about 20 people, including about a dozen elementary school students, were inside the church at the time.
“I heard this big bang and I was like, ‘Ruby, we have to get out of here!'” the pastor’s wife, Carol Bryson, told FOX 2. “Something’s up.”
Perhaps the church had a little help from above when the tree destroyed the nursery, which is only used on Sundays, so no one was hurt, Bryson said.
Officials say school and church services will not be affected while repairs begin at the nursery.
CALIFORNIA POPING FROM MUD PLANES, WIND DAMAGE AFTER RECENT ATMOSPHERIC FLOW IN PUMMY STATE
FOX News’ Claudia Cowen takes us through the state, where almost all areas are in recovery mode for the last atmospheric river storm. The next shot of rain and snow is coming for the weekend.
First responders across the state have been scrambling to evacuate homes after torrential rains triggered landslides, cleared trees from cars and roads, and built makeshift levees after several neighborhoods collapsed and were flooded after Tuesday’s storm.
WHAT CALIFORNIA’S EXCESSIVE SNOW AND RAIN MEAN FOR THE STATE’S RESERVOIRS
The FOX Forecast Center is tracking the next California rainmaker due to move in this weekend.
www.foxweather.com
https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/watch-tree-church-california-storm
