High Wind — San Francisco Bay Shoreline, California

2009-10-13 · San Francisco Bay Shoreline, California

Event narrative

High winds were reported throughout San Francisco Bay shoreline. Here are other measured peak wind gust reports from automated systems: Point San Pablo Bay Area Air Quality Management District - 74 mph and San Francisco Airport - 62 mph. The high winds knocked down power lines and trees causing hundreds of thousands of people to lose power. A huge oak tree crushed a house in Redwood City and brought down power lines. Also in Redwood City, dozens of trees were toppled, including at least two that hit houses or parked cars. Within San Mateo County at least 47 trees and 31 sets of power lines were knocked over. In Los Altos, three power lines and 18 trees were knocked down. Several of those trees fell on homes causing structural damage. In Milpitas, a large tree landed on a house on the 1300 block of Lassen Avenue causing minor damage.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system made its way through Northern and Central California accompanied by deep tropical moisture and very strong winds. Heavy rain combined with the wind to cause numerous trees, tree limbs and pole/telephone powers to fall. Pacific Gas and Electric reported over 277,000 customers had lost power in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas with a cost of over thirteen million dollars in damages. The record breaking heavy rain also led to flooding and debris flows.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 199983. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.