There was crazy weather in the Northern California city of Carmichael on Tuesday, with intense wind gusts creating a mess of a cleanup that left some wondering: Was that a tornado?

The National Weather Service assessed the damage and determined it was what is known as a downburst, a powerful straight-line wind that often is mistaken for tornadoes and can cause similar damage. The powerful winds descend from a decaying shower or thunderstorm and then spread out quickly when they hit the ground.

It hit the area around 10 a.m. Tuesday, knocking out power for thousands and uprooting trees across the Carmichael area.

"I thought, 'Oh, we are in the middle of a tornado,' " said Michelle Bailey, who experienced the intense winds.

Bailey said the wind was so intense that it knocked her over and

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