SACRAMENTO, California — It started with a loud crack.
Mary Hidalgo, a Stockton resident, heard the noise and rushed outside to find a massive tree had fallen directly onto her cousin’s car parked on the street.
“I heard a big noise and we came to look and sure enough our cousin’s car got hit,” Hidalgo said.
What shook her most was not the car.
“We had all the kids in the backyard when it happened, so I was like, thank God they were back there. But luckily it was a parked car and not driving,” she said. “Then, a few moments later, we heard another crack down the street.”
Trees Down, Cars Crushed Across the Region
Hidalgo’s street was not the only one hit.
Also in Stockton, a tree was uprooted in a busy Costco parking lot and fell onto several vehicles. Shoppers and staff looked on as the damage unfolded in what should have been a routine Sunday outing.
The destruction stretched across the region as a red flag warning — issued when conditions are ripe for fast-moving fires — remained in effect through Monday evening.
Fire Crews Called Out Across Sacramento Area
The same winds that toppled trees were pushing vegetation fires across the region, forcing crews to respond quickly throughout the day Sunday.
Firefighters worked to get ahead of blazes before the wind could carry them further. Officials had warned residents ahead of the weekend that dry conditions combined with strong gusts made fire danger unusually high.
Drivers and Families Caught Off Guard
Even getting around the region became frightening for many residents.
Two friends — one from Auburn, one from Berkeley — had planned a simple halfway meetup for a picnic in Sacramento. What they did not plan for was the drive.
“We were a little bit freaked out at certain points when it got very windy,” said Jasmine Aboukhadijeh, who lives in Auburn. “Especially with a baby, we are very cognizant trying to see if anything is falling down.”
Marika Rundle, visiting from Berkeley, described the conditions on the road as unsettling.
“Mostly branches and the occasional little tornado situation, a lot of dust,” Rundle said.
What Residents Should Know Right Now
The red flag warning remains active through Monday evening. Fire officials are urging residents across the Sacramento region to avoid any outdoor burning, keep vehicles away from dry brush, and stay alert for falling trees and branches near roadways and parking areas.
Winds are expected to ease once the warning lifts, but crews are remaining on standby as conditions stay unpredictable.
Did the winds cause damage near your home or neighborhood? Share what you saw in the comments — local updates from residents help everyone stay informed and safe.
