The tallest tree in the world has fallen due to a storm in California
California storms destroy drive-through tree as east coast thaws
Hundreds forced to flee flooding in the west as heavy rain and winds bring down a sequoia that was hollowed out to allow tourists to pass through
Tourists pose in the Pioneer Cabin tunnel tree, a giant sequoia carved out in the 1880s. The famous tree came down during a storm on Sunday.
Tourists pose in the Pioneer Cabin tunnel tree, a giant sequoia carved out in the 1880s. The famous tree came down during a storm on Sunday. Photograph: Michael Brown/AP
As the east coast of the US shivered and hundreds fled their homes on the west coast to escape flooding, it emerged that a giant sequoia tree known for a huge tunnel carved through it had been brought down in California’s weekend storms.
Icy winter storm causes accidents and deaths in south and eastern US
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the historic Pioneer Cabin in Calaveras Big Trees state park near Yosemite national park came down during heavy rains on Sunday.
The tree was hollowed out in the 1880s to allow tourists to pass through it. Cars later used the massive tunnel, but more recently it has hosted only hikers.
Park volunteer Jim Allday of Arnold said the tree shattered as it hit the ground. There was no immediate word on what caused the tee to fall, but the Chronicle reports that it probably had to do with the tree’s shallow root system and the inundation.
California state parks ranger Tony Tealdi pauses by the roots of the fallen Pioneer Cabin tree on Monday, 9 January.
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California state parks ranger Tony Tealdi pauses by the roots of the fallen Pioneer Cabin tree on Monday, 9 January. Photograph: Rich Pedroncelli/AP
Hundreds of people fled homes elsewhere in northern California and in Nevada as a massive winter storm packing heavy rain, strong winds and lightning caused mudslides and widespread flooding.
The Russian river in California’s Sonoma County and the Truckee river near Reno, Nevada, overflowed their banks late on Sunday and officials said both waterways could stay at the flood stage for days.
Schools were canceled on Monday in hard-hit Sonoma County, where thousands are without power and many roads are unpassable. Mudslides caused road closures across the region, including along major highw
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017...ds-popular-tree