Courtesy photo
Wave Wire Services
PICO RIVERA — The storm system that moved through the Southland March 13, brought a heavy dose of rain over a short period of time and caused a rare tornado in a residential neighborhood here.
The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF0 tornado occurred in Pico Rivera between 3 and 4 a.m. “Preliminary details: wind speed 85 mph, length 1 mile, width 80 yards, duration 2 minutes. Exterior damage to homes and cars, multiple snapped trees,” a statement issued by the National Weather Service said.
The tornado caused some roof damage to a few homes in the area, along with uprooted trees, damaged cars, downed power lines and ruptured water pipes, but no injuries were immediately reported. An EF0 tornado is the smallest tornado.
The tornado developed in a neighborhood south of Whittier Boulevard between Passons Boulevard and the San Gabriel River near the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway.
The most intense damage occurred on Glencannon Drive.
“We are grateful that there have been no reported injuries,” Pico Rivera Mayor John Garcia said. “I want to commend our emergency responders and city personnel for their immediate action in keeping our community safe.
“Our top priority is ensuring all hazards are addressed and utilities are restored as quickly as possible.”
The city activated its emergency operations center and mobilized crews to assess and mitigate hazards. City teams worked to clear debris, assess structural damages and restore essential services.
Small tornadoes are rare but not unprecedented in Southern California. The last one occurred in Montebello in March 2023.
