Monday, July 17th 2023, around 6:50 PM started the downpour and lightning strikes in the Grass Valley area. While activity was happening in the area, a power line pole was struck on Pole Line Rd, and knocked out power to almost the entire Grass Valley area, leaving an estimated 2,177 NV Energy customers without power. The storm then made it’s way over towards the downtown area where it was reported that a lightning strike caused a fire in the area near the fishing pond that was quickly extinguished. The storm then made its way back over the Sonoma Mountain Range where it remained relatively stationary “…lighting up the mountain like a Christmas Tree” one Grass Valley resident said. Power was partially restored to residents at approximately 10:35 PM.

Photos courtesy of Michael Brown