Lightning Strikes Tree, Damages Church Building in Oakmont

Powerful spring storm brings widespread rain, downed trees across North Bay

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:22pm

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A dramatic landscape painting in muted tones, with a massive, splintered redwood tree dominating the foreground, its broken branches and debris dwarfed by the sweeping, atmospheric sky above, conveying the overwhelming power of the natural disaster.A powerful spring storm's lightning strike shatters a towering redwood tree, exposing the raw, elemental forces that can disrupt a community.Santa Rosa Today

A lightning strike splintered a large redwood tree in the Oakmont area of Santa Rosa early Friday morning, causing damage to a church office and a nearby commercial building that houses Sonoma County's ambulance service. The incident occurred as a spring storm brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to the North Bay region.

Why it matters

The lightning strike and resulting tree damage highlight the risks that extreme weather events can pose to local infrastructure and businesses, especially in areas with mature trees and older buildings. The incident also underscores the need for emergency preparedness and rapid response to minimize disruptions during severe storms.

The details

The lightning strike occurred around 3 a.m. on Friday, April 10, splintering a large redwood tree on Oakmont Drive in Santa Rosa. Debris from the tree damaged the Monsignor Fahey Parish Center, a church office building, as well as a commercial building that houses Sonoma County Ambulance Services and other businesses. No injuries were reported, but the church office was deemed unsafe to occupy, while the commercial building received limited damage.

  • The lightning strike occurred around 3 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • The Santa Rosa Fire Department responded to the incident around 6 a.m. the same day.

The players

Santa Rosa Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the lightning strike and tree damage incident.

Monsignor Fahey Parish Center

A church office building that was damaged by the fallen tree branches.

Sonoma County Ambulance Services

A business located in the commercial building that was impacted by the tree damage.

Ira Lowenthal

The owner of the commercial building that was partially damaged by the fallen tree.

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What they’re saying

“'and it was heard all through Oakmont like a cannon.'”

— Ira Lowenthal, Building Owner

What’s next

Church officials are expected to assess the damage to the Monsignor Fahey Parish Center and determine the timeline for repairs. The commercial building owner is also awaiting an insurance assessment to determine the full extent of the damage and associated costs.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the potential for severe weather events to cause significant damage to local infrastructure and businesses, underscoring the importance of emergency preparedness and rapid response to minimize disruptions in the community.