SAN DIEGO — The storm rolling through Southern California and San Diego County is still posing a threat.
Our week of wet weather packed a punch Thursday as well, with more rain and whipping winds. It's led to a sharp rise, in downed trees, so CBS 8 is Working For You on what to look out for in your own yard.
Why do trees fall down after heavy rain?
An arborist from The Davey Tree Expert Company says the ground is saturated and therefore weaker.
"I've got a big Eucalyptus on a house that's coming out tomorrow," Daniel Kump said. "I've got a Palm Tree that's leaning half way, that's about to fall."
He says business has nearly tripled over the past few days.
"Sometimes you see shifting and lifting in the root system," he added.
Kump says Eucalyptus are often the first to go. Others like Corral trees also give way in this weather.
"Giant Pepper trees can have hollow trunks," he added.
What are the signs a tree is about to fall?
A Pepper tree split from its trunk late at night in Shelltown, smashing the car below it and blocking off much of Newton Avenue. Neighbors say there was no warning.
"Lots of times when I talk to homeowners, it's just like we were in the other room, heard a big crash - a big boom," Kump said.
There are multiple claims on San Diego's Get It Done app reporting down trees or ones that might threaten to.
Three signs a tree might fall:
- Broken branches.
- Uprooted roots.
- The tree is leaning.
"If the tree is really heavy and hasn't been pruned properly, or at all - it's going to catch the wind and be more likely to fall, Kump said.
Even knowing your soil can be helpful. We have a lot of clay in Southern California that often doesn't drain well. Conditions that are too dry or in this case, too wet can both create hazardous conditions.
"Watch out for downed power lines, that's a big one - stay away, be really careful," Kump said.
While we have sadly found flooding isn't always covered by insurance, downed trees usually are - so hire an expert, and stay safe.
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