Tornado strikes North Vallley town, damages homes

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Monday, November 16, 2015
Tornado strikes North Vallley town, damages homes
Witnesses posted photos online of a funnel cloud looming over city streets.

DENAIR, Calif. -- Authorities said a tornado struck a Central California town, causing damage to some structures and knocking down trees and power lines.

The National Weather Service said video and witness reports confirm a tornado touched down in Denair, about 13 miles southeast of Modesto, on Sunday afternoon.

Witnesses posted photos online of a funnel cloud looming over city streets.

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The Modesto Bee reports the twister swept along nearly a mile of Zeering Road, toppling trees and fences, breaking windows and ripping off part of a church roof.

The tornado came as another cold storm sweeps across California. Hail and thunderstorms were reported in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Forecasters said up to 8 inches of snow could fall at the 5000 feet level, with possibly a foot at the highest peaks.