At a Glance
- EF0 tornado touched down in Boyle Heights on December 26, 2025.
- El Nuevo Mariscos Tampico suffered broken windows and scattered debris.
- No injuries were reported despite the storm’s intensity.
- Why it matters: The rare tornado in Los Angeles underscores unusual severe weather in Southern California.
On Christmas Day, a winter storm brought heavy rain and gale-force winds across Southern California. The storm’s climax was an unexpected EF0 tornado that struck the Boyle Heights neighborhood, damaging the local seafood restaurant El Nuevo Mariscos Tampico.
Unexpected Storm in Boyle Heights
The tornado, rated EF0, touched down amid the broader winter storm that dumped inches of rain over three days. Surveillance footage captured debris swirling and a restaurant sign hitting the front windows, shattering them.
**Damage included:
- Broken front windows
- Scattered debris across the front yard
- Roof tiles displaced
Impact on the Restaurant
The owners, whose father and stepmother run the restaurant, were in disbelief. Ronald Arevalo, son of the owners, expressed shock at the rare event.
Jonathan P. Miller reported for News Of Los Angeles at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.
Ronald Arevalo said:
> “You don’t even know what to think,
> A tornado in LA? That’s such a rare occurrence. Not even rare, it’s just unbelievable. That’s something not heard of.”
Ronald Arevalo added:
> “They heard a loud bang … and they came out startled as to what happened.
> So when they saw the trash on the floor, they thought, ‘Who did this?’ You wouldn’t think a tornado happened and then little by little, they found out.”
Ronald Arevalo said:
> “When I saw that, I was so glad that they’re not injured.
> Especially, too, since they had just opened up. No one was inside, so luckily, no one was sitting down. No one got injured.”
| Date | Location | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 26, 2025 | Boyle Heights | Debris, broken windows |
| Mar 2025 | Pico Rivera | Minor damage |
| 2023 | Montebello | Roof damage |
Key Takeaways
- An EF0 tornado struck Boyle Heights on a winter storm day.
- El Nuevo Mariscos Tampico** suffered window damage and debris but no injuries.
- Southern California can experience sudden severe weather, urging vigilance.
The incident serves as a reminder that even regions considered safe from tornadoes can experience sudden severe weather, prompting local businesses to remain vigilant.
