Local Streets Flooded, Tree Downed Near Larchmont

January 10, 2023

A mature pine tree fell on a passing vehicle on Third Street at the corner of Larchmont late Monday afternoon. (photo from Larry Guzin)

Late Monday afternoon, a mature pine tree fell onto Third Street at the corner of Larchmont Blvd. The tree also knocked down a nearby power pole. Both the tree and the pole hit a car as it was passing through the intersection. Fortunately, the driver was not hurt. City crews were on the scene quickly to clear the debris from the street.

Upon closer inspection of the fallen tree this morning, it appears its roots gave way in the saturated soil. Nick Mook, an arborist we consulted, said there’s no way to know exactly what happened, but it does appear that the root pruning done for the construction of a new sidewalk to make the curb handicapped accessible a few months ago might have played in role in destabilizing the tree. The roots of a large tree like this should be more extensive than are seen here, Mook said, so root rot at the base of the tree could have been a factor as well.

The fallen pine tree does show some evidence of root rot that could have destabilized the tree.

Remnants of the pine tree and utility pole that fell at the intersection of Larchmont Blvd. and Third Street late Monday afternoon remain in the sidewalk. City crews were out this morning removing debris and will return to remove the tree stump and pole.

Elsewhere in the neighborhood, we heard reports of flooding last night during the heaviest downpours. Several residents told us their basements were flooded. This morning, Buzz food writer Deborah Brooks said she is dealing with water flooding her garage. Normally, her garage doesn’t flood, she said, but there was so much rain last night, it started to fill with water. She said she’s getting more sandbags to stop the water flow.

“We ordered pre-filled sand bags from Anawalt and they load them into the back of the car. it was very, very easy,” Brooks told the Buzz. “We are hoping things will dry out and we can make it through the rain that’s expected later this week.”

Meanwhile, residents on Rossmore Avenue were dealing damaged vehicles in flooded subterranean parking garages. A resident at the condo on Rossmore and Clinton told us their garage flooded despite the building’s flood gate. We saw crews pumping out water this morning. Garage flooding years ago prompting the installation of the flood gate.