104-mph gusts recorded as Santa Ana winds wreak havoc across Southern California
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In this Aug. 9, 2018 photo, a gust of wind whips through an open field in Piedmont, Calif. A series of powerful storms across Southern California has produced some of the most dangerous gusts ever observed in Southern California. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
California Highway Patrol officials in Riverside, Calif., check a car that crashed while driving in the morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 9, 2018. Officials warned that winds were being pushed to 100 mph, and that gusts could exceed 80 mph in some areas. The wind gusts have left many areas without cell service, and knocked out power to the region. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Officials said on Saturday that gusts at times were as strong as 94 mph (150 km/h). Winds in Santa Ana, Calif., on Sunday reached as high as 118 mph (but no higher than 93 mph) — in an area where some had reported gusts as high as 120 mph.
In the morning rush hour on a busy day, the wind was at 100 mph at the corner of West and Magnolia Street near the intersection of State Route 94 and Interstate 15 with the strongest gust over 110 mph.
“Everybody is in awe of these wind gusts because they are so rare,” said Mark Seifert, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
Authorities said the powerful storms created hazardous conditions as they ripped through the region, leading to some of the strongest inland winds ever recorded in Southern California.
Officials said on Saturday that gusts at times were as strong as 94 mph (150 km/h), but there were no reports of structural damage.
Authorities said the powerful storms created hazardous conditions as they ripped through the region.
“On the road, I’m seeing trees flying through the air, and cars driving with windows broken and roofing falling off,” said Steve Gerela, who was driving to work in Oxnard when the gusts hit.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory at 8 a.m. for the Ventura County and Los Angeles County area.
In Los Angeles, power was cut to thousands of homes and businesses. Many residents and businesses across the region were without power or internet access.
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