National Weather Service investigating possible tornado in Vernon area

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The National Weather Service was investigating the possibility of a small tornado touching down in the Vernon area Tuesday.

Witnesses near the corner of State Street and Gage Avenue said a small tornado hit the area Tuesday around noon.

Nabir Kheir, owner of a gas station near the area, said his son was working at the station when it happened. He said as soon as he made it back to the station, he couldn't believe what he saw.

Kheir said a few trees and a power line were toppled over. The surveillance video captured intense winds moving around gas pumps and people who were caught in the middle of it trying to take cover. The incident happened in less than a minute.

On Wednesday, the NWS said it could have been a "gustnado," which is a low-level vortex that can cause the same amount of damage as a small tornado.

Authorities said the damaged light pole caused power outages. It was replaced Wednesday afternoon.