Storm causes downed trees, high winds, hail in Menifee

One of several downed trees in the city was located at Bradley and Newport Roads. (Photo by Gwen Oropallo)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

City of Menifee maintenance crews and residents began the cleanup in many parts of the city Sunday following a late-afternoon storm that left downed trees, damaged fences and patio coverings, and caused power outages.

The Menifee area, already choked by smoke from local fires, suffered a variety of effects from the storm: thunder, lightning, high winds, rain, and even hail in some parts of the city. Much of the significant damage occurred in the northeast part of the city, according to witnesses reporting to Menifee 24/7. Elsewhere, residents experienced nothing more than light rain.

According to NBC4 News, the storm was centered over Perris at 4:42 p.m. causing the greatest expected damage to Perris, Nuevo, Menifee, Winchester, and Homeland. City News Service reported that 1,591 customers in Menifee were affected by the power outage.

“The City of Menifee's Public Works and Community Services crews are currently addressing flooding issues and downed trees in the northeast area of the city resulting from today's severe weather event,” the City reported on its Facebook page about 7 p.m. “Please follow posted signage, drive carefully, and avoid the area if possible.”

“It hit twice here in Newport and Winchester,” wrote Jennifer VanVleet on Facebook. “My mom, my daughter and I were outside holding on to our canopy with lightning all around us. Patio chairs went flying and my huskies did not like it at all.”

Gwen Oropallo reported on Facebook that she drove past a tree that was down in the street at the intersection of Bradley Road and Newport Road.

“Romoland. Strong winds threw almost everything off my patio. List of things. Such a mess, doing clean up now. Still no power,” wrote Chrie Chism. “Newport and Murrieta Road … our backyard is flooded and the hail hit hard in the solar panels,” wrote Madelyn Soluren.

“Sad because a tree branch fell on my daughter's car and destroyed it and it doesn't have full coverage and it's hard,” wrote Ana Maria Sandoval.

Other downed trees were reported in Audie Murphy Ranch and in Romoland near Ethanac Road.

Gathering hail looks like snow in a yard in Menifee. (Photo by Tonya van Hees)

 Another downed tree lies alongside Murphy Ranch Road. (Photo by Desiree Hepinger)

 A fence blew over in one Menifee back yard. (Photo by Mondo Burrell)

 

An uprooted tree lies in a front yard off Chambers Road in the Sun City Community. (Photo by Penny Long Fontes)