Spring Storm Hits: Lightning Splinters Tree and Damages Oakmont Church

Early Friday morning, April 10, 2026, lightning struck a large redwood in the Oakmont area of Santa Rosa. The bolt splintered the tree and sent heavy debris into nearby structures.

Damage and emergency response

The Santa Rosa Fire Department responded to reports around 6 a.m. Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal confirmed crews inspected the scene.

No injuries were reported. Neighbors said they heard the blast as early as 3 a.m.

Buildings affected

Debris damaged two buildings in the 6500 block of Oakmont Drive. One structure, at 6572 Oakmont Drive, houses Sonoma County Ambulance Services and Sequoia Senior Solutions.

The church office behind that building, Monsignor Fahey Parish Center at 495 White Oak Drive, also suffered damage. Inspectors red-tagged the church office as unsafe. The other building received a yellow tag, allowing limited work inside.

Property owner and cleanup

Owner Ira Lowenthal said the tree lost its top and that the church roof took damage. Power was cut to the affected church building.

Fire inspectors are preparing damage estimates. An insurance assessment is pending. Cleanup crews, including a Servpro worker, removed fallen timber and debris.

Weather context

The incident occurred as a spring storm moved into Northern California. A low-pressure system offshore produced widespread showers across the region.

The National Weather Service reported up to 1.25 inches of rain overnight in the North Bay. More rain and possible thunderstorms were forecasted for Friday night. The wet pattern was expected to continue through Monday night.

Additional impacts and next steps

Emergency officials also reported two downed trees in Occidental linked to the same storm. Inspectors will finalize structural evaluations before occupancy is allowed.

Photographer Kent Porter documented the scene for Filmogaz.com. Officials urged residents to stay clear of damaged structures until they are declared safe.