LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A storm that authorities say may have been a tornado struck suburban Los Angeles in the pre-dawn hours on Tuesday, overturning mobile homes, peeling off roofs and leaving 10,000 customers without power.

No deaths or injuries were reported, but property damage was said to be severe in the Paramount, Bellflower and Compton areas.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said a ``possible weak tornado'' tore siding and roofs from industrial buildings and trailers and overturned trucks.

The weather was part of a spring storm accompanied by thunder and lightning that dumped more than two inches of rain on the city in less than 24 hours.

NWS spokesman Stuart Seto said the storm could have spawned the tornado.

``With that type of thunderstorm, it can cause strong downbursts or a tornado,'' he said.

Authorities said there was one rain-related death when a woman lost control of her car on a slick highway in the Los Feliz section of the city and crashed into a tree. She died instantly.

Los Angeles is not known as a city that suffers from tornadoes, but small twisters are not uncommon during violent thunderstorms.