Storm topples trees, causes power outages

Sunday’s winter storm brought strong winds that toppled several trees and caused power outages in the Ramona area.

A large tree fell in the southbound lane of state Route 67 near Scrub Oaks Road Sunday afternoon. Also on Sunday, a tree fell in the 18000 block of Highland Valley Road near Rangeland Road, and another one toppled in the 14000 block of Mussey Grade Road, reported the Ramona Fire Department.

Wind gusts on Sunday peaked at 59 mph in Ramona, 64 mph in Santa Ysabel and 72 mph in Julian, according to the National Weather Service.

Preliminary precipitation amounts showed 2.37 inches in Julian, and less than 2 inches in the valleys. The National Weather reported just over 1 inch at Ramona Airport.

Power outages were reported throughout the county. As of Monday morning, San Diego Gas & Electric’s website showed that 173 customers in portions of east and north Ramona and in the La Jolla Indian Reservation/Mesa Grande/Santa Ysabel area lost power Sunday afternoon and that they could be without power for three days. SDG&E estimated power would be restored to those customers by 3 p.m. Wednesday, stating that severe weather caused a problem in the electric system.