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Toppled White House Christmas tree is secured upright, and lighting show will happen as scheduled
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Toppled White House Christmas tree is secured upright, and lighting show will happen as scheduled

  • By ASHRAF KHALIL Associated Press

Repair crews have installed concrete blocks and cables to secure the National Christmas Tree in front of the White House after the tree blew down. The 40-foot-tall Norway spruce from West Virginia toppled Tuesday afternoon during heavy wind gusts that reached 46 mph at nearby Reagan National Airport. The tree had been planted just two weeks ago on the White House Ellipse, an area known as President's Park. The tree was back upright by 6 p.m. The National Park Service says the tree-lighting ceremony will continue as scheduled Thursday. Musical performances will feature Dionne Warwick and St. Vincent.