Los Angeles

“Scary, Crazy” Winds Knock Down Tree Onto Car

A large tree toppled onto the only car parked on a Chatsworth street as wind advisories continued for Southern California

Strong winds described by residents as like something out of "The Wizard of Oz" toppled a tree onto a car parked on the street and left behind a trail of damage and debris overnight in Southern California.

A high-wind warning was in effect Sunday night through Monday morning for parts of the region. Gusts up to 50 mph are expected through mid-morning before even stronger winds arrive Monday night.

The strongest sustained ovenight winds were reported in the Santa Clarita Valley. Wind speeds reached 80 mph in mountain areas with an 87 mph gust at Whitaker Peak in Angeles National Forest.

In Chatsworth on Sunday night, a 40-foot tree fell on a Toyota Prius as strong winds swept across a neighborhood. The car, its owner is out of the country, was the lone vehicle parked on the street, according to the owner's roommate.

"They were scary, crazy winds," said resident Cassandra Conners. "It felt like the whole house was going to fly away -- Wizard of Oz, boom, here we go."

Neighbors told NBC4 they believe the tree was dead for at least two years. The tree was removed later Monday morning.

Power was also knocked out for about 1,100 Department of Water and Power customers. Powerful gusts could cause more downed trees and power outages, the NWS warned.

A second, but weaker round of winds was expected to take place Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. High winds were expected to hit the Inland Empire on Tuesday, with some of the strongest gusts moving through the San Gorgonio Pass and San Jacinto Valley.

Temperatures are expected to climbed into the 70s and 80s this week for most of Southern California.

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