Additional Coverage:
- VIDEO: Tornado flips cars, damages businesses in Northern California (foxweather.com)
Tornado Wreaks Havoc in Scotts Valley, California
A rare tornado struck Scotts Valley in Northern California on Saturday, causing significant damage. The twister overturned vehicles, damaged homes and businesses, and left thousands without power.
San Francisco’s First-Ever Tornado Warning
Hours before the Scotts Valley tornado, San Francisco experienced its first-ever tornado warning as a powerful storm system hit the state. The National Weather Service determined that straight-line winds of 80 mph caused the damage in San Francisco.
Tornado Investigation Underway
Meteorologists are investigating the strength of the tornado in Scotts Valley. Additional crews have been dispatched to the area to determine its category on the Enhanced Fujita Wind Scale.
Thousands Without Power
At the peak of the storm, over 128,000 electric outages were reported in California. Most of the outages were in areas south of the Bay Area and in the Sierra Nevada.
Tornadoes Rare in California
Tornadoes are uncommon in western states like California. Since 1950, less than 500 tornadoes have been reported in California, with no fatalities recorded. The state typically experiences an average of 11 tornadoes per year, mostly during spring and fall.
Atmospheric River Subside
The atmospheric river event that brought the severe weather is expected to weaken on Sunday. However, another round of heavy rainfall is forecast for the coast on Monday and Tuesday.
Read More About This Story:
- VIDEO: Tornado flips cars, damages businesses in Northern California (foxweather.com)