A rare tornado hit Scotts Valley, California, injuring five people and flipping vehicles as a storm moved across the state. The tornado caused damage to property and utility poles, with cars strewn about on Mount Hermon Road. The National Weather Service confirmed the touchdown, but did not estimate the tornado’s strength. California averages about 11 tornadoes per year, with the northern Central Valley being the most likely area to experience one.
The tornado formed during a powerful Pacific storm that brought an atmospheric river over the state, causing flooding, power outages, and snow in some areas. In Mill Valley, floodwaters stranded vehicles, while Novato experienced a citywide power outage. The storm also brought hail, strong winds, and nearly 2 inches of rain in some places. The atmospheric river was rated moderate to strong on a scale of 1 to 5.
Authorities closed Mount Hermon Road in Scotts Valley to assess damage and make repairs, with over 8,800 utility customers in Santa Cruz County left without power. The storm also caused disruptions in other areas, with severe weather conditions expected to continue through the night. The weather service forecasted freezing temperatures for the Bay Area, followed by sunny skies on Sunday. Dennis Romero, a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital, contributed to the coverage.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com