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Update 6:55 p.m.:
The Ramona Expressway was closed Sunday evening because of downed power poles in the area, damaged by a microburst that struck the area about 4:30 p.m.
Menifee Road and the Ramona Expressway -- between Lake View Drive and Rider Street, in Perris -- were to be closed for at least a day, a California Highway Patrol officer said.
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A microburst in Nuevo wrought havoc on Menifee Road Sunday, knocking down 20 power poles and prompting closure of a street.
One vehicle was damaged as the wind blew over it, leaving six occupants -- three of those, children -- trapped by a downed power pole until they were helped out, according to Phil Rawlings, incident commander with Cal Fire.
"A microburst created an extreme wind event and severe weather activity," Rawlings told Patch at the scene, adding that there were also rumors of tornadoes.
Those reports had not been confirmed by Patch Sunday evening.
Rawlings told Patch there were least at least 20 power poles knocked down -- five more possibly on the Ramona Expressway.
Some customers lost electricity, the incident commander said.
Menifee Road was closed between Nuevo and San Jacinto roads and would remain so for an undetermined amount of time.
A California Highway Patrol officer cautioned motorists to stay off the Ramona Epressway, which also had some damage from the strong winds.
