Authorities said a tornado struck the community of Scotts Valley, which is close to Santa Cruz in Northern California, on Saturday afternoon, causing power lines to fall and automobiles to be flipped.
The little town of Scotts Valley is located in Santa Cruz County, just off State Highway 17, approximately six miles north of Santa Cruz.
The event occurred in the 200 block of Mount Hermon Drive at approximately 1:40 p.m. After a multi-vehicle collision that left numerous power wires down and totally closed the road in both directions, Scotts Valley police first issued a social media alert telling locals to stay away from the area.
Witnesses said it was not an accident “but rather a possible tornado” that made landfall close to the Target store at 270 Mount Hermon Drive “and threw multiple cars off the road,” according to an update later released by the police.
No precise information on injuries was given by the police.
Just prior to the tornado, the National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the region.
Scotts Valley, Capitola, and Soquel, California, are under a severe thunderstorm warning through 2:00 PM. GuLKEZRLeJ (PSTpic.twitter.com)
The National Weather Service’s Bay Area office later shared on X that “video, photos, firsthand accounts, and radar signatures” had proven the existence of a tornado.
A tornado in Scotts Valley, California, has prompted the issuance of a local storm report. Video, images, first-hand reports, and radar signals all point to a tornado that happened around 1:40 PM. To determine a rating, a NWS Survey team will conduct additional research.#cawxpic.twitter.com/IYxksSfMTD
According to the post, a NWS Survey team will look into the matter more thoroughly before assigning a ranking.
The tornado was only the most recent severe wind event linked to the strong storm that moved through Northern California during the course of the night. According to social media accounts, the National Weather Service issued San Francisco’s first-ever tornado warning just before 6 a.m. on Saturday, frightening locals with a cell phone alert that awakened many people up.
Even though that tornado did not occur, high winds were having an impact on the entire area. For example, the North Bay city of Novato experienced a citywide power outage, and Interstate 580 was completely closed in both directions at the San Joaquin and Alameda county line following a big rig collision involving multiple vehicles caused by high winds.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.