Southern California is now shifting its focus to recovery efforts following severe weather events over the Christmas week. Cleanup initiatives are underway after a series of rainstorms and a rare tornado caused widespread destruction.
Cleanup Operations After Rare Tornado
In Boyle Heights, damage assessments began on Saturday. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down in the area on Christmas Day. This tornado had a track length of approximately one-quarter mile and a width of 30 yards.
- Wind speeds classified as EF-0 range from 65 to 85 mph.
- The tornado left behind damaged roofs and broken windows.
- Debris littered the streets, and video footage captured winds throwing objects into the air.
Witnesses reported significant destruction, including roofs being torn off homes. Eyewitness accounts noted intense winds tearing through neighborhoods.
Severe Weather Impact Across the Region
Beyond the tornado, the storms caused extensive flooding and mudslides in the mountain community of Wrightwood. The heavy rains led to power outages for thousands of SoCal Edison customers.
- Oriole Road experienced significant mudflows, with debris and charred wood tumbling down from higher elevations.
- Several vehicles were buried, and streets were left inundated with mud.
In Los Angeles, all evacuation orders and warnings were lifted as of Friday evening. The National Weather Service also terminated the flood watch for the city.
Record Rainfall Measurements
Rainfall totals were notable, with downtown Los Angeles receiving 1.23 inches on December 26, breaking the previous record of 1.2 inches set in 1977. Long Beach Airport also saw record precipitation, totaling 1.39 inches, surpassing the prior record of 1.14 inches from 2019.
Community Services Update
Mayor Karen Bass announced that recreation centers, including the Palisades, Rustic Canyon, and Crestwood Hills, would reopen on Saturday after closure due to storm conditions.
As cleanup continues, communities across Southern California are taking steps to restore normalcy following these extraordinary weather events.
