San Francisco was hit with its first-ever tornado warning after a devastating storm ripped through Northern California, flipping cars and injuring several people.
About a million people woke up early Saturday to an alert urging them to “shelter in place” after the warning was expanded to parts of neighboring San Mateo County.
Forecasters have since confirmed that a tornado ripped through Scotts Valley, an hour and a half south of San Francisco.
Several people were treated for minor injuries after cars rolled over on Mount Hermon Road, KION reports.
Terrifying videos show motorists struggling to maintain control of their cars amid heavy winds and fallen trees in the middle of the road.
Another clip, shot in Scotts Valley, showed the powerful wind current blowing branches and debris as it swept through a Target parking lot.
Wind gusts of up to 130 km/h also toppled power lines and left about 221,000 people in a power outage, while tens of thousands were still without power.
The stormy conditions are the result of a powerful atmospheric river that battered the west coast.
San Francisco was hit with its first-ever tornado warning after a devastating storm ripped through Northern California, flipping cars and downing power lines
A tornado has since been confirmed in Scott Valley, an hour and a half south of San Francisco
San Francisco hasn’t seen a tornado since 2005, according to the Weather Service, which is now investigating whether a tornado actually occurred. However, it was the first time that a warning was given in advance
In San Francisco, roofs were damaged and trees were uprooted by gale-force winds.
The area hasn’t seen a tornado since 2005, according to the weather service, which is now investigating whether a tornado actually occurred.
“This was the very first warning of a possible tornado in San Francisco. I suspect there was no clear signature on the radar for a warning in 2005,” said Roger Gass, a meteorologist with the Weather Service in Monterey, California.
The fast-moving storm prompted warnings for residents to take shelter, but few people have basements in the area.
“The biggest thing we tell people in the city is to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible,” said meteorologist Dalton Behringer.
The tornado warning was issued at 5:51 a.m. and also included a warning of possible pea-sized hail.
The warning expired around 6:15 a.m., but winds of 83 mph were recorded at San Francisco International Airport at 2:09 p.m.
There were reports of several injuries in Scotts Valley, where a confirmed tornado struck on Saturday
More than 221,000 people were without power due to the heavy storms
San Francisco residents have been warned to avoid coastal areas until Monday due to an increased risk of flooding
A powerful atmospheric river is responsible for the stormy conditions that wreaked havoc in part of Northern California
According to the National Weather Service, California records an average of 11 tornadoes per year.
San Francisco residents are still urged to avoid coastal areas until Monday morning due to an increased risk of flooding.
It comes just days after the City by the Bay was first issued a tsunami warning.
A monstrous earthquake off the coast of Northern California triggered the alarm.
At least 5.3 million people in California were issued a tsunami warning after the earthquake struck, the US Geological Survey said.
It was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by smaller aftershocks.
There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries.