New Brighton Closed After Tree Crushes RVs

The campground at New Brighton State Beach is closed, evacuated, and could stay that way through the long Presidents Day weekend after a large pine tree crashed down on two recreational vehicles Thursday morning.

No one was hurt, although three people and a dog were inside one of the RVs when the tree came down just after 10 a.m., state park officials said.

But with more rain and wind on the way, park workers said they had no alternative but to send campers home in case additional trees topple.

Adolfo Garcia, owner of Community Tree Service in Watsonville, supported that recommendation.

“This tree came down; another one can come down,” Garcia said. His company was chopping up the tree and removing it from the trailers on Thursday afternoon.

Ray Beck, a state parks maintenance worker, said Thursday that “this is the first time I’ve seen this happen.” He and park maintenance assistant Dustin Mauro were on hand to make sure the tree removal went smoothly and to clean up afterward.

Linda Orsua, 60, and her husband, Frank Orsua, 63, of Lompoc, packed up their truck and trailer Thursday afternoon and cut their vacation short. The two were scheduled to stay until the weekend but decided to drive the few hours home instead of setting up camp somewhere else.

“When it gets this soggy, those tall trees have nothing to hold on to,” said Linda Orsua. The couple purposely picked a campsite without overhanging branches, she and Frank said. This is the fourth winter they’ve camped at New Brighton.

“We’ll take the risk,” Linda said, “because it’s such a beautiful place.”