Over the weekend, downtown San Francisco experienced a rare weather event as a tornado warning was issued for the first time in recorded history. The warning came as severe storms swept through the city, causing concern among residents and officials.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management confirmed that the tornado threat had passed by early morning, urging residents to seek shelter in sturdy buildings or interior rooms on the lowest floors. The National Weather Service also issued flood advisories and high wind warnings, with wind gusts reaching up to 83 mph at San Francisco Airport.
Videos captured the intensity of the storm, showing palm trees swaying violently and trees and power lines being knocked down. More than 10,000 people were left without power as a result of the storm's impact.
Interestingly, California typically experiences around nine tornadoes in a year, making the downtown San Francisco warning an unprecedented event. The NWS confirmed that such warnings had never been recorded for this area before.
Previous Tsunami Warning Adds to Region's Recent Weather Challenges
Just a week prior to the tornado warning, the San Francisco Bay area was under a tsunami warning following a 7.0-magnitude earthquake off the California coast. The earthquake triggered widespread panic, prompting nearly 5 million people along the Northern California and Oregon coastlines to evacuate.
Fortunately, coastal communities were able to avoid disaster as the warning was eventually canceled by the National Tsunami Warning Center. The quake's epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean south of Eureka, California, highlighting the region's vulnerability to seismic activity.
These recent weather events serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the importance of preparedness and swift response in ensuring the safety of residents in vulnerable areas.
