Lightning struck a tree in the front yard of a home on Pine Crest Avenue with explosive force during a storm on the night of Monday, Jan. 22. Neighbor Holly Owens told the Crier that although no one was seriously hurt, one neighbor suffered temporary hearing loss “that seems to be slowly resolving.” Another, in their kitchen, was “knocked off her feet.”

Other damage Owens noted included shattered or cracked windows in 10 houses, damage to electrical systems and appliances, and a power line “downed by the top of the tree that was struck.” Edison was able to restore power within hours.

Joel Feingold, responding to a call from a friend, came down and surveyed the damage. He was surprised to find that the house closest to the tree did not suffer broken windows, “like the eye of a hurricane,” with the blast wave possibly hitting the roof harder than the walls.

He noted that the neighbor who temporarily lost his hearing had stepped out on the porch with his dog to witness the incredible downpour and hail. The dog was reportedly unharmed. David Hunt, who lives a few hundred yards up the road, told the Crier that although he did not have any broken windows, items he displayed on his windowsills were knocked off by the shock wave.

The tree itself has two huge gnashes along most of its length from the bolt. Even at week’s end, one could still see shreds of wood from the tree hanging from power lines, and windows secured and boarded up. Feingold told the Crier that he notified the sheriff’s department and requested extra patrols for the street, and “they responded.”

Owens observed, “Windows and appliances can be replaced, people cannot. I am most grateful for our neighbors who look out for each other, and for the concern and calls from others in the community to check on us.”

Sheila Zacker also checked in on a property close to the strike. She expressed “thanks to IFPD [Idyllwild Fire Protection District], they were very supportive.” They came “right away” and were able to keep the downed power line from causing more trouble until Edison arrived.

The homeowner whose tree was struck declined to comment to the Crier, but was evaluating the tree. Trees may survive being struck by lightning, but may also be weakened in ways that are not immediately apparent.