Severe Weather Hits U.S., Including Rare Tornado in Central California
Nebraska, The Gulf Observer: Severe weather conditions wreaked havoc across the United States over the weekend, including a rare tornado in central California that caused injuries and significant damage.
On Saturday, a tornado touched down near a shopping mall in Scotts Valley, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of San Francisco. The tornado overturned vehicles, uprooted trees, and toppled utility poles, according to the National Weather Service. Several people were injured and transported to hospitals, the Scotts Valley Police Department confirmed.
In San Francisco, authorities issued the city’s first-ever tornado warning. While no tornado struck, 80-mph (130-kph) straight-line winds caused significant damage, including downed trees, damaged roofs, and cars crushed by falling debris, meteorologist Dalton Behringer reported. Roger Gass of the National Weather Service office in Monterey noted that this was the first advanced tornado warning for the city, contrasting with a previous tornado nearly two decades ago that lacked such alerting measures.
Meanwhile, other regions of the U.S. faced dangerous weather conditions. In upstate New York, lake-effect snow dumped over 33 inches (84 centimeters) near Orchard Park, creating hazardous travel conditions.
The Midwest faced a significant ice storm, beginning Friday evening and extending into Saturday, impacting Iowa and eastern Nebraska. Treacherous driving conditions led to temporary closures of Interstate 80 as numerous vehicles, including trucks, slid off the icy roads.
In the Pacific Northwest, tens of thousands of residents in western Washington state experienced power outages Saturday due to rain and gusty winds, according to local news reports.
As winter storms continue to sweep across the country, authorities urge caution and preparedness in affected areas to mitigate risks and ensure public safety.
