Possible Tornado Strikes Pico Rivera During Late Winter Storm

PICO RIVERA, Calif. (KABC) — A possible tornado struck early Thursday morning in Pico Rivera, knocking down several trees and raising concerns about storm-related damage. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported the incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. near Glencannon Drive and Church Street, just southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Residents in the area awoke to the sounds of uprooted trees and downed power lines as strong winds swept through Los Angeles County. An aerial survey by AIR7 captured images of debris scattered throughout the neighborhood, but fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

“We’d been talking about the potential for tornadoes in this area for days in advance,” said Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the NWS. “This storm has created the right conditions for severe weather.”

Initial damage reports indicate at least one tree was split in half, with other trees downed across Church and Underwood streets, though many homes appear to have escaped significant damage. NWS officials are deploying a survey team to assess the extent of the damage and confirm whether a tornado indeed touched down.

As a late winter storm moves through Southern California, residents are reminded to stay vigilant and monitor weather updates as strong winds and rain continue into Thursday evening.

Authorities have advised people to avoid downed power lines and report any further incidents to local emergency services.