Berkeley's Cazadero camp heavily damaged by winter storms

"The powerful storms that blew through Berkeley over Christmas pummeled the city-owned Cazadero camp in Sonoma County, where howling winds toppled trees and damaged dozens of structures at the remote retreat that has hosted music and performing arts programs for generations. Now staff are working to clear mountains of debris and downed redwoods so the camp can reopen in time for programs this spring."

"Wainacht, whose nonprofit leases the site from the city, said five large trees were blown over by winds that gusted as high as 70 miles per hour during the storms on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. One tent cabin was destroyed, she said, while about 25 others were damaged, with branches puncturing decks or smashing through railings and frames. Two propane tanks and a handful of other structures were also damaged, and the site's water connection was severed."

"Wainacht said the damage could have been much worse: Two of the trees fell through the middle of the camp and came inches away from smashing into a bathroom building and another tent cabin. One tree fell across nearby Austin Creek, leading to fears that it could form a dam and flood the camp. That tree has since split into two pieces, Wainacht said, and as staff work to assess whether it still poses a threat, the forecast calls for dry weather in the coming days."

Powerful Christmas storms struck the Cazadero Music Camp in Sonoma County, toppling trees and damaging dozens of structures across the 13-acre retreat. Winds gusted as high as 70 miles per hour, uprooting five large trees and causing one tent cabin to be destroyed while about 25 others sustained damage to decks, railings and frames. Two propane tanks and additional structures were damaged and the camp’s water connection was severed. The site was unoccupied and no injuries occurred. Fallen trees nearly struck buildings and one fell into Austin Creek, prompting concerns about damming. Staff are clearing debris and downed redwoods to reopen by spring.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org