Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
A small tornado touched down in Pico Rivera, uprooting trees. Here's why they periodically hit LA
A small tornado caused damage to trees, cars and homes in Pico Rivera early Thursday, March 13, 2025.
(
Janice Hahn
/
X
)
A small tornado uprooted trees and damaged roofs and cars in Pico Rivera early Thursday, just as a powerful storm was moving out of Southern California, the National Weather Service confirmed.
Officials said the tornado touched down between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. with wind speeds of 85 mph. The tornado lasted 2 minutes and was around 1 mile long and 80 yards wide, damaging roughly four blocks.
Mike Wofford, a meteorologist at NWS, told LAist the tornado measured 0 on the EF scale, the lowest rating. While these tornadoes are relatively weak, they can cause moderate damage in densely populated areas. The tornado Thursday morning snapped trees, sending them toppling over roadways.
A possible tornado touched down in Pico Rivera at 3:15 am. Powerful winds ripped trees out of the ground and knocked down power lines. Thankfully, LASD deputies have told me no one was injured.@NWSLosAngeles will be on site soon. #LARain pic.twitter.com/BnTGIGdC5Y
— Janice Hahn (@SupJaniceHahn) March 13, 2025
Support for LAist comes from
How common are tornadoes
While tornadoes aren’t a frequent phenomenon in California, L.A. County has seen 49 since 1950, according to the most recent data available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Six of the tornadoes caused injuries and 20 inflicted property damage.
The tornadoes typically happen in cooler months when powerful storms like the one we just had pass through the area.
Research from NOAA also shows that the L.A. area has seen a disproportionately higher number of tornadoes compared with the rest of California because of “the shape of the coastline and the inland location of the mountains enhance the low-level convergence field.”
In 2023, L.A. County saw two tornadoes separated by 13 minutes touch down in the Carson–Compton area as an unseasonably cool storm brought rain to the area. The tornadoes were small, but their winds estimated at 75 mph did cause some damage.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist