Official announcements from Santa Cruz County or the California state government

EF-1 Tornado Hits Scotts Valley, CA; 6 Injuries Reported as San Francisco Experiences 83 MPH Winds

Dec 15, 2024, 12:03 AM

A powerful winter storm struck Northern California over the weekend, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and even a rare tornado warning for San Francisco. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the city and surrounding areas, including Daly City and Broadmoor, which was in effect until early Saturday morning. Although the tornado warning for San Francisco was ultimately lifted, an EF-1 tornado touched down in Scotts Valley, approximately 60 miles south of San Francisco, causing significant damage. Reports indicate that the tornado had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, flipping vehicles and injuring at least six people, with one in critical condition. The storm also produced an impressive wind gust of 83 mph at San Francisco International Airport, marking one of the strongest gusts recorded at the airport since 1945. The Bay Area experienced widespread power outages and downed trees as the storm continued to wreak havoc across the region, with intermittent bursts of rain and wind expected to persist. Officials are assessing the damage and responding to the aftermath of this unprecedented weather event.