 Path of the tornado | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | March 1, 1983, ~7:40 a.m. PST (UTC−08:00) |
| Dissipated | March 1, 1983, ~8:05 a.m. PST (UTC−08:00) |
| Duration | 20–25 minutes |
| F2 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 240 km/h (150 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Injuries | 30–32 |
| Damage | $50,000–$50 million[a][b][1] |
| Economic losses | $15 million |
| Areas affected | South Central Los Angeles |
Part of the Tornadoes of 1983 | |
The 1983 South Central Los Angeles tornado was a significant F2 tornado that occurred on the morning of March 1, 1983, in South Central Los Angeles. The tornado touched down at around 7:40 a.m. PST (UTC–08:00) near 51st Street, taking a north-northeastward path paralleling the Harbor Freeway before lifting near Olympic Boulevard at around 8:05 a.m. PST. The damage swath was roughly 3.5 mi (5.6 km) long and up to 660 yd (600 m) wide. Over a hundred homes were damaged, of which around 50 were destroyed. Virtually all power lines in the tornado's path were ruptured and numerous power poles were blown over or snapped by the twister. The tornado also inflicted significant damage to the Los Angeles Convention Center, which required $3 million in repairs.[b] Losses sustained by public, residential, and commercial infrastructure amounted to $15 million. As the broader meteorological conditions did not resemble those typically associated with tornadoes, no tornado watch or warning was issued in advance of the tornado and tornadic activity was not anticipated. At least 30 people were injured, primarily by flying glass, and over a hundred people were displaced due to the damage.
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