Wet weather topples tree but rain may ease California drought

BERKELEY (KTVU) -- A massive tree toppled onto a Berkeley apartment house Monday afternoon, as strong winds heralded the first storm of a wet week that is expected to drench the Bay Area.

The series of storms raise possibilities of some flooding and wind damage, but water district officials say the wet weather will help fill reservoirs that have been depleted over the years due to California's lingering drought.

In Berkeley, a towering American elm tree crashed onto a house on the 3100 block of College Avenue, uprooting the concrete sidewalk and street and falling right on the driveway where Tairi Nishizawa had just left his apartment in the house.

"I was speechless . . . because I had just left the building about an hour ago," said Nishizawa, looking at the damage. "I just came back home and found this big mess."

No injuries were reported when the tree toppled over and PG&E crews shut off power to a broken electrical line. Approaching storms, however, could bring more power problems later in the week.

Businesses in Walnut Creek saw patrons scurrying for cover. Restaurants' outdoor seating was glazed with raindrops as diners ducked inside.

"Usually our patio's pretty packed cause of our fire pit, but when it's raining people want to sit in the dining room and bar area," said Jenny Miller, a server at the Modern China Cafe.

Many say they hope the rain will help ease  the state's ongoing drought.

"If you look back two years ago, that was the second driest year in East Bay MUD's history," said East Bay Municipal Utility District spokeswoman Tracie Morales-Noisy.

"Our reservoirs are about 80 percent full and we've received about 5 inches of rain in our Mokelumne watershed, which is above average," Morales-Noisy added.

The true test, though, will be the rain in the coming months and snow in the Sierra.

East Bay MUD officials say water restrictions remain in place, so no watering of landscapes is permitted for two days after rainfall and there's a ban on spraying down driveways or sidewalks.

"I definitely do not wash my car very often, so I do my part," said Audrianna Solari, who lives in Walnut Creek.

And for diners eating out, there's no water at the table unless patrons ask.

"We just don't give out water on the tables right when you arrive," said Nora Derkrikorian, a Modern China Cafe server. "You have to ask for it because we are still in a drought regardless if it's raining or not."

EBMUD water district officials say there are cash rebate incentives in place through the end of the year  for water-efficient toilets and washing machines.

Officials say they hope if people conserve now, it will help preserve water supplies for later in the dry summer months.

By KTVU reporter Jana Katsuyama.