Winds cause tree to land on top of South Lake Tahoe duplex

High winds caused a tree to fall onto a duplex on Tahoe Vista Drive in South Lake Tahoe, just before 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 18.

Residents were home in both units and the tree narrowly missed hitting one of the residents according to SLT Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Karl Koeppen.

There were no injuries and one of the family's cat was rescued.

A peak wind gust at the South Lake Tahoe airport was measured at 56 mph as of 10:30 a.m., according to the National Weather Service, with average winds 24-32 mph.

The gas, water and electricity has been shut down to the home, and with the roof damage it is currently uninhabitable. Koeppen said the residents are staying with family and friends.

The building department with evaluate the home further after the weekend.

Both the owner of the duplex and the owner of the property on Hazel Avenue where the tree was located have been notified.