Cleanup underway after rare tornado hits Scotts Valley

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA – Residents of Scotts Valley spent much of the weekend cleaning up debris and trying to get back to normal after an unexpected tornado hit the area Saturday afternoon.

The National Weather Service categorized the tornado as an EF1, and at least five people were injured.

“It was pretty crazy. I was outside because we had a severe thunderstorm alert and I went out to see,” said Dan Quinto of Scotts Valley.

Broken tree limbs and a damaged car were still in the Safeway parking lot on Mt. Hermon Road Sunday afternoon. Some residents talked about the extreme weather and how unusual it was in this area.

“I could see what I thought was a flock of birds, but what it was was the debris from the top of the tornado. It was kind of just over that way,” said Quinto, who lives in a mobile home park. “Like I said, I worked in emergency services for 47 years. I’ve seen floods, fires, all kinds of things. Never a tornado. That was the first tornado I’ve ever seen.”

Scotts Valley Police says tornado winds overturned six cars, including a Cal Fire pickup truck, and downed trees and power lines in its path.

Police confirmed five people also suffered non-life threatening injuries. Monica Keller told us she was trapped outside near Ace Hardware when the tornado hit.

“I tried to go inside and I said I can’t get inside right now. I couldn’t get across the parking lot,” said Monica Keller of Scotts Valley.

On Bean Creek Road, a witness said an uprooted tree damaged part of the roof at Scotts Valley Middle School.

Jen Isola said a large tree also fell on her Jeep during the storm and she’s just glad her family is safe.

“I’m thankful we weren’t in the Jeep and I’m very sorry to hear some people ended up in the hospital. But really, we never expected to see a tornado in Scotts Valley,” Isola said.

As of Sunday night, PG&E’s website showed 99 percent of homes and businesses in Scotts Valley had power.