For the first time in recorded history, downtown San Francisco was issued a tornado warning on Saturday morning as severe storms swept through the city, just one week after a tsunami warning created widespread panic in the region. The warning added to the already heightened sense of emergency that residents have been experiencing in recent days.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (SFDEM) confirmed that the tornado threat had ended around 6:14 a.m. PST after the storm moved northeast of downtown. Despite the danger subsiding, SFDEM had earlier urged residents to take shelter immediately, especially in the event of unpredictable weather conditions.
“Take shelter now in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from debris,” SFDEM advised.
In addition to the tornado warning, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood advisory and high wind warning for the Bay Area. Sustained winds of up to 40 mph were expected along the coast, with San Francisco Airport reporting a wind gust of 72 knots (83 mph) as the storm passed. The strong winds caused extensive damage, with videos showing palm trees shaking violently, as well as downed trees and power lines across the city.
As of Saturday morning, over 10,000 people were without power in San Francisco due to the storm’s impact. The unusual combination of a tornado warning, high winds, and heavy rain contributed to the widespread disruption, leaving many residents scrambling for shelter and safety.
Tornadoes are rare in California, with the state averaging only nine tornadoes annually. The NWS confirmed that this was the first time in recorded history that downtown San Francisco had been issued a tornado warning, emphasizing the severity of the storm and the risks posed to the area.
The storm’s occurrence follows a significant event just one week earlier, when a tsunami warning was issued for the San Francisco Bay Area. The warning was triggered after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of California on December 5. This quake, though relatively rare, was one of approximately 15 of its magnitude reported globally each year. The warning affected nearly 5 million people along the Northern California and Oregon coastlines. Fortunately, the warning was later lifted after it was determined that the tsunami risk had passed.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the Pacific Ocean south of Eureka, California, a coastal city approximately 300 miles northwest of Sacramento. While coastal communities had to evacuate, the situation was eventually deemed safe, and no major damage or loss of life was reported.
The tornado warning and its aftermath reflect the growing unpredictability of extreme weather events in California, highlighting the ongoing challenges that residents and authorities face in preparing for and responding to such rare occurrences.