Sacramento trees fall during weekend storm

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (NBC) - Fallen trees damaged homes and blocked roadways across Sacramento following Saturday's rainstorm.

Joseph Boniwell clips branches off this massive tree that fell on E Street, between 14th and 15th Streets, in Sacramento.

"I'm just trying to clear the walkway," Boniwell stated.

The tree is just inches away from his home.

While his building is fine, the two cars on the street are not.

Both of them have broken windshields, after being crushed by the tree, which is still sitting in the street!

"It's completely obstructing the roadway and the walkway for pedestrians. It's caused a little bit of damage, so it's surprising. We see tree damage every season in Sacramento, but we had a massive fall on this street yet."

Blocking downtown streets

The same thing can be seen all across the city.

Trees are blocking downtown streets, and branches are sitting on the damaged rooftops of homes.

Residents describe Saturday's storm, that caused all this, as unnerving.

"Mayhem, chaos, terror. It was like Mother Nature came alive and declared war on Sacramento," Sacramento resident Aaron Grace described.

The strong winds knocked a tree into this house in the Rosemont area of Sacramento County.

Really lucky

Homeowner Montiel also says it fell right after he and his wife went to the store.

"We just happened to be really lucky that we left three minutes earlier," Montiel continued.

The storm destroyed the front of the home.

However, with a baby due in just a few weeks, Montiel says he wants to pick up the pieces as fast as possible.

"I'm just trying to look at the timeline of when we'll be able to return here and live a normal life again, without going, living in someone's spare room or living in a hotel," Montiel said.

Still, he's counting his blessings that no one got hurt.

"I feel lucky...frustrated, but I feel lucky," Montiel professed.

Not how the New Year should start

Montiel's not alone.

"Just in Metro Fire's jurisdiction, we've seen about a dozen trees that have actually fallen and impacted homes. Fortunately, we haven't had any injuries as a result," Sacramento Metro Firefighter Parker Wilbourn explained.

As people wait for clean up crews to come, they say this is not how they want the New Year to start!

"Hopefully this isn't an omen for 2023, and maybe this is as bad as it gets?" Montiel hoped.