One Sunday morning in early February 2024, after a long rainy night, I woke up to the wind knocking at my window. The weather forecast had predicted an extremely windy day with gale-force winds exceeding 70 miles per hour—an uncommon occurrence for our area. Despite having a list of typical Sunday chores, I kept my plans flexible, knowing the wind could easily cause a power outage.
Sure enough, by late morning, the fence lines rattled, and the power lines swayed until we lost power. Instead of waiting around, uncertain of when electricity would return, I decided to grab my camera bag and venture out to document the stormy day.
Capturing the Storm: Roseville Road
My first stop was down Roseville Road, at a blocked-off RT overpass connecting both sides of the tracks. From this vantage point, I gained a bird's-eye view of the storm's impact on the area. The sight was even better than I thought it would be, with various artifacts and windblown items scattered around, providing an interesting background for my camera.
Exploring Familiar Territory: Elkhorn Boulevard
Next, I headed to familiar territory along Elkhorn Boulevard, towards the levee road. This vast, open area between Highway 99 and Rio Linda offered no windbreaks, making it the perfect spot to witness the storm's full force. The previous night's storm had left an unexpected amount of water in the levee, with swells and white caps driven by the relentless 70-mile-per-hour winds. Capturing these images from the roadside was challenging—I had to brace myself firmly against the wind's powerful push, a sensation unlike any I've experienced in the Sacramento region.
A Windy Adventure
For the next few hours, I cruised around, documenting the storm's effects and capturing an abandoned boat tied to a cement barrier. Once I felt sufficiently wind-whipped, I decided to head back home. To my pleasant surprise, the power had been restored while I was out exploring.
Reflections on a Windy Day
All in all, it was an exciting day. In retrospect, I'm glad I chose to brave the storm and create some compelling journalistic photos. The wind's fascinating energy transported me back to those wild playground days of childhood. I definitely felt that exhilarating rush. 📷
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