A Smart & Final grocery store in Azusa, California, suffered a roof collapse on Thursday as a powerful storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to Los Angeles County.
Eyewitness Describes the Collapse
Local resident Al Hernandez witnessed the collapse and described the moment of panic inside the store:
“I just heard a large boom. Then all of a sudden, it just started buckling in.”
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the collapse caused water to flood the store, triggering chaos and panic among shoppers.
“There were people screaming and running—it was just madness,” Hernandez said. “The water main broke as well, and water was shooting everywhere.”
Storm Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Wind Warnings
The National Weather Service (NWS) called this storm the largest of the season, issuing flash flood warnings and high wind advisories throughout the region.
- Rainfall Totals Expected:
- 1.5 to 3 inches in most areas.
- 3 to 6 inches in the mountains and foothills.
- Gusty Winds: A high wind warning was issued for Ventura County and the San Gabriel Mountains until 1 a.m. Friday.
- Debris Flow Risk: Areas near recent burn zones were at risk for mudslides and flash flooding due to rain exceeding 1 inch per hour.
Smart & Final Temporarily Closes Azusa Location
A spokesperson for Smart & Final confirmed that the store will remain closed while officials assess the damage:
“We are relieved to report that no one was injured. The safety of our associates and customers is always our highest priority.”
