Gusty Winds Bring Down Tree in Culver City

Gusty winds battered much of the Southland Tuesday, knocking down a tree on a Culver City home and putting motorists on edge due to blowing debris.

A large tree was toppled by the strong winds on Minerva Avenue, damaging the roof of a two-story home, according to city officials. No injuries were reported but city crews were at the scene to clean up the mess.

The family who were sleeping inside the home told local news media they were woken up by the crash of the tree, which caused some damage to one of their cars. Culver City public works officials said nothing appears to be wrong with the tree, but they will check the others in the neighborhood as a precaution.

In West Hollywood, a large tree was knocked down by the howling winds and fell between two homes in the 8800 block of Rangley Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. No injuries were reported.

Tuesday night, wind gusts topped 50 mph at Castaic Lake, reached 46 mph in Saugus and blew near 40 mph in areas such as Newhall. Even coastal areas such as Santa Monica and San Pedro recorded gusts at or near 40 mph early Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning that was in effect in the Los Angeles County mountains and Santa Clarita Valley until Wednesday.