Strong Wind — Santa Cruz Mountains, California

2024-02-04 · Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Event narrative

A tree fell into a home in Boulder Creek on the 14100 block of California Highway 9 near the intersection with Bear Creek Road. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office reported that fire crews arrived around 3:20 PM. Two people were inside the home when the tree fell. One person escaped, but a 45-year old man was trapped inside. The man was killed after the tree fell and died at the scene.

Wider weather episode

A rapidly intensifying cyclone and atmospheric river combined from February 3rd to the 5th, creating a period of strong winds, heavy rain, and high surf. The entire region saw numerous impacts including roadway flooding, fallen trees, and power outages. Flood prone areas near rivers and along the coast were evacuated. Notable impacts also included pre-emptive closing of state parks, the cancelation of the San Francisco Half-Marathon, and the PGA canceling the final round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament. On Monday February 5, several schools were closed due to damage from the storm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1154792. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.