L.A. breaks rainfall record with 2.8 inches; NWS investigates possible tornado

Southern California was battered by an atmospheric river storm Thursday, bringing record-breaking rain, mudslides and, potentially, a tornado. 

Oxnard experienced strong winds, which tore the roofs off of homes at a mobile home park in the College Park neighborhood around 3:30 p.m. 

The National Weather Service is investigating the possibility that the damage was caused by a tornado, though straight-line winds were also capable of similar destruction. Crews are expected to inspect the site Friday morning.

Tornadoes are rare in California, though they do occur. The L.A. area sees occasional waterspouts over the ocean, as well as twisters brought about by the Santa Ana Winds. In 2024, two waterspouts moved on land in San Luis Obispo County, dealing minor damage to buildings, trees and power lines.

Thursday was the rainiest Feb. 13 in L.A. history, according to the NWS. 2.8 inches of rain fell across the city, above the record of 2.71 inches, which had stood since 1954.

At times, rain fell at a rate of .75 to 1.2 inches per hour, posing a risk of mudslides and flooding.

Mulholland Drive, in the Hollywood Hills, was covered in 8 inches of mud due to ground movement. As a result, the road was closed through Thursday night. Crews have determined that the homes above and below the slide are stable, and no casualties were reported.

The Pacific Coast Highway also saw flooding. The road remains closed between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu

Several locations received far more precipitation than the city average. Nordhoff Ridge, a mountain crest in Ventura County, saw 5.28 inches, while La Cañada-Flintridge received 3.53.

As of Thursday Morning, the storm has moved past the L.A. area. Current forecasts call for little to no precipitation over the next week.