Fillmore, CA - On February 9, 2010 at approximately 11:15AM a severe weather system packing intense periods of rainfall and thunderstorms passed over the City of Fillmore resulting in a period of concentrated rainfall and treacherous lightning conditions rarely experienced in the Santa Clara Valley. Over a three hour period approximately 6 lightning strikes touched down in Fillmore, two of which occurred in residential areas.

The two lightning strikes that impacted the City of Fillmore occurred simultaneously striking a 480 Volt Edison power pole located at A Street & First Street and a 50-foot palm tree located in the 1000 Block of Sespe Avenue. The strike that occurred in the area of Sespe Avenue was believed to be a “positive” and more powerful strike resulting in both a shockwave and transfer of approximately 1 billion volts through the tree into the ground and surrounding structures. Force from the strike shattered neighborhood windows and damaged a block wall laced with rebar. Palm frowns from the tree were found nearly 150-feet from their origin after being jolted with electricity. No further injuries or damage was reported at the conclusion of the incident.

The last documented lightning strike to occur within the City of Fillmore was in 2000 when a palm tree located in the 800 block of North Fillmore was struck by lightning and caught fire.

Fillmore residents are reminded to seek refuge during inclement weather and let this serve as a reminder that Californians are susceptible to the same dangerous weather conditions many other states experience on a very regular basis. These conditions are rare, however they are real and are armed with the potential to injure citizens and damage property.