Violent storms in California claim the lives of five or more

At least five people have died in Northern California after violent storms. Meanwhile, a tornado caused destruction in Los Angeles. Heavy rain is also playing an increasingly important role in the otherwise rather dry US state.

At least five people have been killed in severe winter storms in northern California. According to the city of San Francisco, two people died from injuries sustained during the extreme weather.

In Oakland, a homeless man was found dead from his tent after it was hit by a fallen tree, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

A large tree fell on a moving car in the Contra Costa district. One of the two occupants died, the local fire department said. Also in Portola Valley, a person died in their vehicle in this way.

Power outages in Northern California

Heavy rain and gusts of wind also caused damage in large parts of northern California: In San Francisco, more than 700 trees were downed or damaged, according to the authorities in the west coast metropolis.

The storm broke windows in high-rise buildings. Tens of thousands of people were temporarily without power. There were reports of further road damage, flooding and landslides.

Tornado damages homes and cars near Los Angeles

Meanwhile, a tornado caused significant damage near Los Angeles. In Montebello, roofs of houses were torn off by the storm; Cars were spun around and damaged.

“It was just chaos,” said a businessman from the town of around 60,000 on TV station KTLA. Video recordings also showed damaged industrial buildings and a destroyed sewage system.

Recently repeated storms and heavy rain

In California, which is actually known for its sunshine, there have been violent storms with unusual amounts of rain for weeks. As a result, floods and landslides keep occurring in various parts of the west coast state. The all-time rain record for the state could fall, according to the weather service.

The heavy rain does not only bring destruction. According to the authorities, one of the advantages is that California’s water reservoirs are currently fuller than they have been in years.