1 of 1 Damage to a building is seen after a tornado on Wednesday March 22, 2023 in Montebello, California, USA. — Photo: AP Photo/Ringo HW Chiu Damage to a building is seen Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Montebello, California, United States, following a tornado. — Photo: AP Photo/Ringo HW Chiu
A tornado swept through a suburb of Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday (Jan. 22), ripping off roofs from a number of office buildings and scattering debris across the area. One person was injured.
The National Weather Service sent crews to assess the damage in Montebello and later confirmed that the tornado had struck the area late that morning. “It’s definitely not common in the region,” said Rose Schönfeld from the weather service.
One person was injured and taken to a hospital in Montebello. However, Alex Gillman, a city spokesman, did not say how serious the victim’s injuries were.
“It’s gotten too high. Things were flying everywhere,” said Michael Turner, who was at a warehouse in the area at the time of the tornado. “The whole factory became one big garbage dump for a minute. When the dust settled the place was a mess.”
No one was hurt, but gas lines were severed, fire extinguishers and skylights shattered, and a 5,000squarefoot patch of roof “just disappeared.”
“I’ve been in California since 1965. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Turner said.
Debris was scattered over more than a block. Inspectors checked 17 buildings in the area, 11 of which were deemed uninhabitable, according to the fire service. Several cars were also damaged.
Rainy season
The rare weather event came at the end of a stormy season that has plagued the region in recent days. Two people died Tuesday after torrential rain and gusty winds hit the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Weather Service also sent assessment teams to the Santa Barbara County town of Carpinteria, where it confirmed Tuesday a tornado with gusts of up to 75 miles per hour struck a trailer park and damaged about 25 homes.