Jasmine Mayer was at a park near Steele Lane Elementary School with a friend when the winds picked up. Her father, Andy Mayer, described the moment the accident happened.
"She was sitting there knitting and chatting with her friend and heard a crack, and the next moment, limbs came down," Mayer said. "Her spine kind of snapped and sheered is what (doctors) said."
Jasmine suffered a spinal cord injury, fractured vertebrae and broken and bruised ribs. She was treated at the scene by emergency crews before being transferred to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Her family says it is unclear whether feeling or movement will ever return.
"I remember the doctor coming in and saying this is catastrophic. We can't treat this here," Mayer said. "I just remember looking over at her face and her taking in that news as well and just how serious it was."
Mayer said his daughter remains defined by her personality despite the life-altering injuries.
"She just she loves people she loves engaging with the world just a strong upbeat optimistic person you know?" he said. "She's like one of the friends, maybe the one friend in the group that's like a beacon of positivity."
As Jasmine continues treatment in Sacramento, her medical bills are mounting. A GoFundMe started by one of her friends has raised more than $40,000 in four days to help cover expenses.
"We're just so grateful. It's undoubtedly going to be a very long road ahead," Mayer said. "I would not be able to do that alone."
The storm also turned deadly. Ralph Harrington, 61, was killed after being struck by a tree branch in Santa Clara.
"If I ever had any issues or anything, he was there for me, money, shelter. He was a beautiful human being," said Elizabeth Fluke, Harrington's sister.
For Jasmine's family, the focus remains on her recovery and future.
"We've talked about this. If she never recovers anything, she's going to have a happy life. It's who she is. She's gonna make the best of it," Mayer said.