Wind Topples Tree Onto Traffic; 1 Hurt

Four cars were damaged and one woman slightly injured Saturday when strong Santa Ana winds toppled a giant eucalyptus tree on Devonshire Street at Winnetka Avenue.

The tree, which closed the busiest east-west thoroughfare in Chatsworth in both directions for two hours, crushed the cars as they waited at a traffic signal in westbound lanes around 11 a.m. Police reported no major injuries, but one woman whose car was damaged was taken to Northridge Medical Center Hospital by a family member.

Elsewhere, more than 6,000 customers of the Department of Water and Power lost electricity in Chatsworth, Northridge, Winnetka and Lake View Terrace at about 4:00 p.m., authorities said.

Forecasters predicted that 20-50 mph winds would continue Sunday, with gusts topping 70 mph in some areas of the San Fernando Valley. “It’s kind of like cranking up the speed in a water pipe,” said forecaster Curtis Brack of the movement of the Santa Ana winds south from the High Desert through mountain passes. “The more that comes through, the faster it has to go.”