City Addresses June Storm Damage and Public Safety in Portsmouth's Urban Forest

A fast-moving line of thunderstorms on June 18, 2026, which is believed to have produced a microburst over downtown Portsmouth, caused significant damage to the City’s urban forest.

City Arborist Foreman, Max Wiater, reported to the City’s Trees and Public Greenery Committee that nine trees fell in Haven Park, including six large, mature trees. Three more trees came down in Pleasant Street Cemetery, with additional damage in the Wentworth Senior Living parking lot between the two sites. Other trees in the area were damaged. No injuries were reported.

To reduce risk to the public, impacted areas were marked off with safety tape. Knowles Tree Service worked with the Department of Public Works to remove downed trees and limbs quickly and safely.

Arborist Foreman Wiater thanked Knowles and the public for their response but also noted, “The yellow safety tape is there to remind people that a danger still exists in the area. Until we completed the clean-up, there was the possibility that limbs, branches, and even whole trees might have still come down as a result of the storm. We ask the public to stay out of taped-off areas until work is complete and to remain alert when walking, biking, or driving nearby.”

The City’s Arborist Foreman and Urban Forest crew are evaluating how to include replacement trees in next year’s planting schedule.

CAPTION: Tree damage in Haven Park from the June 18 storm