Power out, trees down after SF tornado warning

On By Littum

San Franciscans were abruptly awakened to a tornado warning from the National Weather Service in the early morning hours.

The warning came at 5:52 a.m. when strong winds were blowing and heavy rain was falling. According to the San Francisco Fire Department, 49 calls were made between 06.00 and 07.40. No one was injured, a department spokesman said, but the storm left trees and power lines down, broken windows, minor flooding and roof damage to one home.

A fallen tree blocks a street in front of George's Market. Colorful flags hang overhead and yellow caution tape is erected around the stage.
Shotwell and 24th Street. Photo by Ricardo Peña
A worker in hi-vis clothing cuts fallen tree branches on a sidewalk with a chainsaw.
Works at Shotwell and 24th streets. Photo by Ricardo Peña.
Fallen tree branches block the street next to parked cars in a residential area.
At 25th and Folsom Streets. Photo by Ricardo Peña.

The warning was lifted at 6:15

More than 11,000 residents lost power last night and early this morning, according to Jackie Thornhill, a spokeswoman for the Department of Emergency Management. Since at 7:30 PG&E crews have been out repairing lines. “It seems to be steadily improving,” Thornhill said.

According to PG&E outage mapAs of 9:30, power was still out in the southeast corner of the Mission, in Bernal Heights, Holly Park – and in the outer sunset.

A utility truck and a van parked on a rainy street corner with a pink pole, fallen leaves and caution tape at Alabama and Precita streets.
In Precita Park. Photo by Ricardo Peña.
Tree branches and debris scattered on a wet street and sidewalk after a storm, with parked cars visible in the background.
Fallen branches on Precita Ave. Photo by Jennifer Keith.

In the Mission, the storm uprooted a huge tree at Shotwell and 24th Streets, and it fell directly across 24th Street. Early this morning workers were already out there working to clear the street.

A large tree has fallen across a street under gray skies and blocked the road. Colored flags are hung above and litter is scattered.
Shotwell and 24th Street. Photo by Ricardo Peña.

“I could hear chainsaws working,” said Ricardo Peña, who owns Mixcoatl on 24th Street.

The tree was on the corner of Shotwell and 24th streets in front of George’s Market, which doesn’t open until 6 p.m. 10. Taqueria Guadalajara directly on the other side does not open until 11. Traffic has been blocked at the moment.

Further south, Bernal Heights resident Christian Brede woke up to large pieces of a tree falling on a car parked in front of his house. “We heard the tree, something happened out front. There was lightning,” he said.

A fallen tree blocks a street at night and emergency vehicle lights illuminate the scene. Houses and parked cars are visible in the background.
Fallen branches on Precita Ave. Photo by Jennifer Keith.

The fire department arrived within minutes and began chainsawing the branches of the tree.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as possible.

Send us pictures of what’s happening in your part of town and we’ll add to this post [email protected].

Stay safe!