Clean up underway after strong winds knock down trees in Palm Springs

Strong winds hit the Coachella Valley on Tuesday, sparking a First Alert Weather Alert. In downtown Palm Springs, the winds knocked down trees in front of a restaurant/bar on Arenas Road.

Two trees fell down right in front of Blackbook near its outside patio area. Several heaters, chairs, and tables were damaged. The owner of the bar, Dean Lavine, closed the patio earlier Tuesday night because of the strong winds. No one got hurt in the incident.

"Our city services were out within an hour. The police were out to make sure traffic came through safe. [Palm Spring Police Chief Andy Mills] actually came out from his dinner to come and check and make sure we were good," said Lavine.

The Blackbook lost all 12 heaters, multiple tables and stools, and part of the fencing and patio umbrella. Totaling to about $15,000 in damages. But business will continue as usual.

"Just reopen be ready. We're resilient. We can do that," said Lavine.

"Everyone is safe but this is scary. Right in front of black book. Be careful. It’s crazy windy. It’s stopped now but who knows," wrote Michael Mafavon on Facebook.

Malfavon was right there when the trees fell as were viewers Scott Gaw and Tim Grimes, who sent us pictures of the trees down.

Viewer John Taylor sent us video of crews working to cut down parts of the tree so they can move it.

Beyond Arenas, work crews cleaned up debris from streets and parks.

"We're prioritizing cleaning up the fallen branches in the streets and parks to make sure it's safe for everyone," said crew worker Victor Navarro.

He said city clean-up can last up to three days if the winds don't start again. In his five years of being a part of the clean up crew, he said Tuesday's wind storm wasn't out of the ordinary.

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