5 injured, 'extensive' property damage reported following EF1 tornado in Scotts Valley
SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Security camera footage from Bruno's Bar and Grill in Scotts Valley shows a fast-approaching tornado headed directly towards the restaurant.
"It was starting over that way, and started coming over this way. So, it was pretty crazy," said Jazmyn Doubek, who works at Bruno's Bar and Grill.
At first, there was concern the tornado would hit the restaurant.
"But then it started disappearing, so then we were all good," she said.
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Like many, Doubek said, a tornado ripping through Scotts Valley isn't something she ever expected--nor the aftermath it left behind.
"Yeah, I was not expecting it to do that much damage. Especially flip a car, because cars are pretty heavy. So, it was like, wow!" Doubeck said.
A video shared with ABC7 News showed very strong windy conditions with debris flying in the air while a car was being driven down Mt. Hermon Road.
This video showed the twister at a shopping center parking lot in Scotts Valley.
The National Weather Service confirmed it was a tornado that touched down around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. A preliminary report released Saturday night categorized the tornado as an EF1.
"I have been a law enforcement officer in Santa Cruz County for almost 28 years, and this is the first I have experienced of a tornado touchdown in our area. It was shocking, obviously," said Scotts Valley Police Captain Scott Garner.
Garner said the damage was extensive. About six cars flipped. Debris was thrown around, which did significant damage to businesses and cars parked along the tornado's path. PG&E power lines and poles were torn down. A massive tree was ripped up from its roots and landed on part of the middle school.
Garner said police and fire had to help evacuate people trapped by down power lines in parking lots. He said in all, five people were injured, but none with life-threatening injuries.
"Their main concern (was) getting people out of there, making sure the power lines are safe, power is cut off, vehicles that are turned over aren't spewing fuel," Garner said.
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With the power out, cars made detours through blacked-out shopping lots. Restaurants like Burger King and Taco Bell were closed for business. But when the tornado hit, everyone rushed for safety.
"The first thing we were trying to do was get the customers inside, just in case it was something worse," said Elizabet Bocanegra, who works at Taco Bell. "Then the doors started flapping open and closed, open and closed. So, we were grabbing them to close them. Then, we saw the tornado going down, and then it ended--in a blink of an eye."
The tornado came hours after the National Weather Service issued an unprecedented tornado warning earlier Saturday morning for San Francisco, but that was canceled after the rotational winds that caused the warning moved past the city.
Mount Herman Road, which is one of the main roads through Scotts Valley, suffered extensive damage as well. Authorities say it will remain closed all night so crews can continue clean up.
Power had been restored to businesses by Sunday morning, and all roads within city limits had reopened, according to police.
Of the five people injured, three were transported to medical facilities and one was admitted for continued treatment, Capt. Scott Garner said in a press release Sunday morning.
"Thanks to these collective efforts, all roads and businesses in the City of Scotts Valley that were scheduled to be open today are now fully operational with power," Garner said.
For any additional questions, Garner directed individuals to contact the Scotts Valley Police Department at (831) 440-5670 or visit here.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
