Devastating weather along America’s Pacific coast got worse when a mini-tornado added its destructive power to the mix, and previously unaffected Southern California was hit by rare rainfall that triggered mudslides.

In Camarillo Springs, the slide was made easier by a barren hillside, fire-ravaged the year before.

Hundreds of homes needed to be evacuated as the storm crept down to Los Angeles and San Diego, and tens of thousands remain without power after pylons were brought down.

While the loss of life has been small, with possibly three deaths accounted for since Wednesday when the wild weather began, the cost of damage may be high, although there is a respite on the horizon with a dry spell forecast for the weekend.

The tornado that hit LA was the smallest type, but the first to hit the city since 2004. Observers say waterspouts were forming off the coast on Friday, but only one touched down on dry land.