Massive Oak Tree Crushes Triplex, Car In Clearwater

CLEARWATER, FL -- It's safe to say it wasn't a day made in the shade for the residents of 1537 S. Myrtle Ave., Clearwater, although Mother Nature did make it a memorable one.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue and Clearwater Police were called to the triplex on Myrtle Avenue shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 10 after a massive oak tree, estimated to be about 150 years old, fell on the northernmost unit of the complex.

The ancient oak was nearly the width of the car it crushed beneath it on its way to the ground. Fortunately, the two people inside the damaged unit managed to escape with no injuries. But there was major damage to the unit and the car.

The city's parks and recreation crews as well as Duke Energy were on scene afterward to assist. A portion of South Myrtle Avenue was closed for a short period of time as crews cleared sections of the tree that fell on the road. The falling tree also snapped a utility pole.

This is the second time this month that a centuries-old live oak tree in Tampa Bay has fallen.

On July 4, another enormous oak tree toppled over on 9th Street in Seminole Heights in Tampa following a thunderstorm.

Like the tree in Clearwater, the Seminole Heights tree took out power lines, smashed a vehicle and caused structural damage but no one was hurt.

Images via Clearwater Police

(For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Tampa Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)