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On Saturday, a Storm Warning was first issued for the downtown area of San Francisco, as strong winds and heavy rains wreaked havoc in the area.
The San Francisco Emergency Management Department (SFDEM) said at 6:14 a.m. that the storm had now moved northeast and the threat to downtown had eased. But the storm caused chaos with power cuts, uprooted trees and debris on the road.
San Francisco and the surrounding regions have been facing a series of natural disasters over the past few weeks. On December 5, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Northern California and Oregon coastal areas.
A Tsunami Warning was issued after the earthquake, putting about 5 million people on alert mode. Now, the storm has brought another problem to the city.
The storm that hit on Saturday recorded wind speeds of 83 mph (miles per hour) at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). It caused power outages and knocked down trees at many places.
SFDEM alerted residents, saying:”Seek shelter on the ground floor or inner part of sturdy buildings. If you are outside, move immediately to a safe place and avoid debris.”
The National Weather Service (NWS) said such storms are rare. This was the first time such a warning was given for Downtown San Francisco in history.
Data and Facts:
- Nearly 10,000 homes were without power until Saturday morning.
- Wind speeds reached 83 mph at San Francisco Airport (SFO).
- The strong winds damaged several power lines and trees.
- Coastal areas experienced sustained 40 mph winds.
The earthquake on December 5 had already created panic in the region. A Tsunami Warning was issued after the earthquake, but it was canceled the next day. However, coastal residents had left their homes by then.
Impact of Climate Change:
The number and intensity of natural disasters is increasing. Experts consider this a result of climate change. Coastal cities like San Francisco have now become more vulnerable.
Economic and Social Impact:
Many businesses were temporarily closed due to the storm. Power cuts and uprooted trees also affected transportation.
Environmentalist Dr. Mark Reynolds said:
“Such incidents are a warning of climate change. If we do not control global warming, we will have to face more intense disasters in the future.”
San Francisco resident Michael Roberts said:
“It felt like the buildings were shaking. I have never seen a storm like this before. We immediately left the car and went to a safe place.”
Local business owner Sarah Williams said:
“The storm broke the windows of our shop. There was a financial loss, but the good thing is that everyone is safe.”
Conclusion:
Saturday’s storm has gone down in San Francisco’s history as a rare event. This incident shows the growing effects of climate change.
Experts say that better infrastructure and public awareness campaigns will be needed to deal with such incidents in the future. Coastal cities now need to strengthen their planning and resources.