Oak tree falls in weekend storm

Last weekend's storms brought some much needed rainfall to Sonoma County and beyond. Unfortunately, it also left damage in its wake.

Late Sunday evening a large oak tree in the back yard of a First Street home fell. The residents were home at the time, and stated they heard a tremendous noise, but were unawrae of what caused it until they looked outside.

The tree, a heritage oak estimated to be about 350 years old, had fallen. While there was some damage to the roof, rear deck and fencing, and a neighbor's car was crushed, the incident could have been far worse.

Resident Beth Rothmuller commented, "The tree fell in the exact spot as to miss hitting our home or any of the homes around it. If it had fallen a few feet to the left, it would have crashed through my son and daughter's bedrooms. Fortunately, neither we nor any of the neighbors were injured." 

The homeowner had built the existing home around the tree about 20 years ago. Crews are expected to arrive sometime today to begin the process of cutting and removing the tree.