Twister in Our Back Yard

(This blog was originally posted on December 15, 2014)

Photo courtesy of Microsoft

     Waterspouts, which are tornadoes that form over the ocean, are often reported off the coast of Southern California during the winter. However, it is very rare that a tornado actually hits a major California city. But that is exactly what happened on Friday, December 12, 2014: a twister touched down in South Los Angeles suburb. The National Weather Service classified it as an EF0, which is the lowest rank with winds measuring 65-85 miles per hour. Regardless of the wind speed, this phenomenon was not something that most Los Angeles residents are used to seeing let alone experiencing. Sure, we get the occasional downdraft during a heavy rainstorm in a mild or weak El Nino season. But this time it really was a tornado that ripped rooftops off of homes, knocked down trees and damaged several cars that were in its path.

     According to ABC7 meteorologist Dallas Raines, the part of California where this one struck is actually a kind of “hot spot” for wild weather: a hot spot west of the Mississippi River that is. One resident who got caught in the storm video-recorded the entire event from his home. His footage showed debris swirling in the air and the sound of rushing wind and banging as airborne objects crashed into each other.

     Now, I am fascinated by weather—especially extreme weather. However, on Friday I was equally if not more curious to hear and read about eye-witness reactions to the storm. Most of the people who were interviewed for the evening news expressed surprise, shock and fear about what they had gone through. After all, most of us associate tornadoes with states like Kansas, Oklahoma and even Florida. Not California. We get earthquakes. In fact, one woman explained that her first impression of the tornado was that she was experiencing an earthquake because her house was shaking so hard. Apparently she even sought shelter under a piece of furniture to wait out the movement, just as California residents are taught to do.

     This witness’s initial reaction made complete sense to me. After all, California is known for its earthquakes. They happen every day whether we feel them or not. Residents are often reminded to keep emergency supplies on-hand and even rehearse plans to reconnoiter with family members and escape the danger zone after a major tremor. The knowledge that “the big one is coming” becomes so ingrained in our subconscious mental script that if significant time passes without experiencing any kind of tremor, our collective anticipatory anxiety increases. Some people associate earthquakes with specific weather, such as extreme heat that continues over extended periods of time. But this was no earthquake, and the idea of a tornado happening in Los Angeles, California was so far out of most people’s experience or expectations made it that much more terrifying.

     Fortunately no one was seriously injured or died during the storm. And next time dark clouds move in, everyone in the state will have a new script they can refer to if the weather looks like it might become severe. Extreme weather can happen anywhere, even in Southern California. Next time, we will have a better idea about what the warning signs are so we can stay safe until the sun comes out again.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

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