For the first time in its history, downtown San Francisco issued a tornado warning as severe storms lashed the city on Saturday. This unusual weather event occurred just a week after a tsunami warning had prompted significant alarm among residents in the area.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management announced that the tornado threat was lifted at around 6:14 a.m. PST, as the storm progressed northeast of downtown. They advised locals to seek shelter in basements or interior rooms of sturdy buildings, urging those outdoors or in vehicles to find safe shelter quickly.
Additionally, the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory and high wind warning, forecasting sustained winds of up to 40 mph along the coast. San Francisco International Airport recorded a wind gust of 72 knots (83 mph) amid the storm. A video circulating on social media showcased powerful winds toppling palm trees in downtown.
By Saturday morning, more than 10,000 residents were left without power due to the severe weather. Prior to this tornado warning, California, on average, experiences about nine tornadoes annually. This marked the first time that a tornado warning had ever been documented for downtown San Francisco, according to the National Weather Service.
Just a week earlier, the region faced a tsunami warning after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the California coast. This seismic event, which is relatively rare with only about 15 such quakes occurring globally each year, sent many residents fleeing their homes until the warning was lifted. The quake’s epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean south of Eureka, California, a coastal city situated about 300 miles northwest of Sacramento and approximately halfway between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon.
While these extreme weather events are indeed alarming, they also highlight the growing attention to emergency preparedness in the region. Communities are increasingly vigilant and responsive to natural disasters, allowing residents to better safeguard themselves during such unprecedented conditions.
In summary, San Francisco experienced its first tornado warning while recovering from a recent tsunami scare, representing a rare moment in the city’s weather history. These occurrences serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the importance of preparedness.