National Weather Service confirms EF-0 tornado touched down in Boyle Heights on Christmas morning
BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Boyle Heights on Christmas Day, leaving behind damaged roofs, broken windows and debris.
A team of experts was sent to the area to tour the damage and view surveillance video. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined the NWS in the area where the strong winds hit.
The tornado came through at 10:10 a.m., with winds up to 80 mph. The NWS said the tornado’s path was about a quarter-mile long and had a width of 30 yards.
The EF-0 rating was based on damage to power poles, roof damage and multiple signs across the area.
No injuries were reported.
Cameras on Whittier Boulevard near Lorena Street show violent winds sending debris flying. Two windows were blown out at a Mexican restaurant in a strip mall. Signs were torn from buildings, and portions of rooftops were seen flying through the air.
“Enhanced Fujita Scale level 0, 80 mph winds, path length quarter-mile, path width 30 yards,” said Dr. Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the NWS. “Relative to many tornadoes in Oklahoma, it was one of the lowest ratings, but still impactful.”
Tornado Warnings were issued in the area during the storm.
Eyewitness News spoke to neighbors who watched as a roof in the neighborhood was blown off.
From mud to flooded streets, a Christmas week storm caused hundreds of traffic accidents and severe damage, even ripping off the roof of a home.
“It blew like, if it was a tornado coming through our neighborhood,” neighbor Carlos said.
Video captured the dramatic moments when the roof blew off the home, sending debris spiraling through the air.
It was an unwelcome surprise on Christmas morning.
“We were inside the house, and we were just watching movies, and we hear this big gust of wind, like hitting our window. And then all of a sudden, we look outside, and the roof of the neighbor’s is just flying all over the place,” Mauricio Mendez said.
Tornadoes are ranked on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, ranking them from EF-0 to EF-5 based on estimated wind speeds and damage.
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