Sacramento, California – A powerful downburst tore through Carmichael Tuesday morning, sending 70 mph winds across a 2.5-mile stretch and uprooting trees that crashed into homes and powerlines.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, the damage began around 10 a.m. when a decaying complex of showers and thunderstorms unleashed a sudden burst of straight-line winds. The impact zone—roughly 1.5 miles wide—stretched from American River College to Mercy San Juan Medical Center, affecting several neighborhoods in the Carmichael area. The storm brought down large mature trees, causing sporadic power outages and structural damage.
Radar showed no rotation at the time, and no severe thunderstorm warning had been issued. The storm’s rapid decay made it difficult to predict, with damaging winds arriving only after the main system weakened. Officials confirmed no injuries or deaths, though emergency services remained on alert throughout the morning.
Residents are urged to report further damage to Sacramento County emergency officials. While the storm passed quickly, NWS officials warn that similar fast-moving systems could strike again with little notice.
More advisories may follow if new storm activity emerges this week.