Skip to main content
News

Fallen Trees Across SF Snarl Evening Commute, Smash Parked Cars

Written by Liz LindqwisterPublished Mar. 21, 2023 • 5:05pm
A massive tree fell in Lower Haight, crushing a car.| Courtesy Mohit Kohli

An aggressive storm Tuesday afternoon toppled trees citywide, including on heavily traveled arteries like Lombard Street.

One fell on a busy commercial corridor, located near the intersection of Fillmore and Haight streets. The tree appears to have taken down lights and power lines with it as it crushed a sedan.

A tree fell down onto a car in Lower Haight. | Courtesy Mohit Kohli

Mohit Kohli, who witnessed the tree fall, told The Standard the owner of the crushed vehicle was an employee at a nearby business who was just about to move his car when it fell.

Major storms ripped across the Bay Area on Tuesday, bringing 70 mph winds and causing damage throughout San Francisco. Numerous other fallen trees have snarled rush hour traffic, and power outages have affected hundreds throughout the Bay. The storms have delayed roughly 300 flights and canceled another 27 at SF International Airport.

Pedestrians walk along Haight Street after a massive tree fell. | Courtesy Mohit Kohli

The San Francisco Fire Department was contacted for comment.

Elsewhere, trees blocked most of Post Street between Polk and Leavenworth streets in the Tenderloin, the eastbound blocks of Lombard Street in the Marina District and Bryant Street between 16th and 17th streets in the Mission.

A downed tree closed the eastbound lanes of Lombard Street near Gough. | Maryann Thompson/The Standard
A fallen tree on Bryant Street between 16th and 17th Streets ripped down power lines and nearly smothered this car. | RJ Mickelson/The Standard

San Francisco's emergency system was overloaded with calls, leading to a plea to use 311 for anything non-life-threatening.

Questions, comments or concerns about this article may be sent to info@sfstandard.com


A man in a suit is behind a microphone.

San Francisco Housing Reform Standoff Enters New Phase With Twin Bills


Man in black sweater steps over an orange fare gate in a train station

Bay Area Transit Gets $747M Lifeline, but There’s a Catch for BART and Muni


a hospital

San Francisco Stabbing Victim Dies in Hospital After Walgreens Crash, Police Say


a cybertruck is seen in a showroom

Tesla Cybertruck Towed From San Francisco Street


Apartment buildings and housing in the Tenderloin in Downtown San Francisco, seen from above.

San Francisco Blows Housing Deadline, Prompting Standoff With State Regulators