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Montebello moves to recover following rare tornado

March 23, 2023

Following the wreckage left behind by a rare tornado, the city of Montebello rallied Thursday, March 23, to marshal resources to aid those effected by the weather.

The city is working to collaborate with L.A. County’s emergency medical services agency, and the city is working to find funding and resources to assist businesses in repairing the damage, Alex Gillman, Montebello’s public information officer, confirmed Thursday.

Montebello’s industrial district on Washington Boulevard and Vail Avenue was visited by a rare landspout tornado on Wednesday morning.

Damage to a building is seen on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Montebello, Calif., after a possible tornado. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

The unwelcome guest tore through the roofing of buildings, lifting debris high overhead. Onlookers reported that the loud gusts lifted gas station signs, trash and tree limbs toward the mountains.

One person at a private business suffered minor injuries.

The National Weather Service confirmed that the tornado hit around 11:20 a.m. and estimated the tornado’s peak wind speed was 110 mph.

A list of effected businesses is being compiled, but of the 17 effected properties, 11 were red tagged as of this morning.

According to Gillman, a task force has been created and met to expedite the permitting and construction activities that will take place on those damaged structures.

According to residents, the streets around the epicenter were closed for several hours, and nearby homes and businesses lost power from Washington Boulevard east to Whittier Boulevard, and from Vail Avenue south to Greenwood Avenue.

MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: An aerial view shows roof damage after a possible rare tornado touched down in a Los Angeles suburb on March 22, 2023 in Montebello, California. Another Pacific storm has been pounding California with heavy rain, high winds, and snow. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A gas line was severed, fire sprinklers broke, all the skylights shattered and a 5,000-square-foot (465-square-meter) section of roof was “just gone,” business owner, Michael Turner said. He added his polyester fiber business, Turner Fiberfill, could be closed for months.

With this possibility looming for other other business employees, Gillman added that the city is working with the State Employee Development Department to connect those who may experience unemployment following this incident.

Rare tornado with 110 mph-wind trashes roofs in Montebello, injures 1; 11 buildings are red-tagged
Bluebird skies in forecast (for now) after record-breaking deluge of rain
New storm to bring ‘unusually’ strong winds to Southern California

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Orange County Register

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Montebello moves to recover following rare tornado

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