Winds topple National Christmas Tree

Heavy winds blew over the 40-foot National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., and the Tree Lighting ceremony is still scheduled to take place Thursday.

Wind gusts of more than 30 mph hit the D.C. area Tuesday, and the tree fell over around 1 p.m. ET following a strong gust, according to The Hill. The National Parks Service said it assessed the tree's condition, replaced a snapped cable and placed the tree back upright by Tuesday evening. 

The National Parks Service attributed the fall to a "strong wind gust."

Video shows the tree, still lit, being placed upright with a crane.

The stage for Thursday's tree lighting is already set up in preparation.

"As the saying goes, 'the show must go on' and the NPS and our event partners are looking at all possibilities to ensure a successful event this year," the spokesperson added. 

The tree, a 40-foot Norway spruce, comes from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. It is a replacement that was placed in the White House Ellipse earlier this month after the previous tree was removed after developing a fungal disease, according to the National Parks Service. 

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