CNN
—
Most of California cannot absorb a single drop of rain. However, the state is again hit by torrential rains and raging winds, causing power outages and unsafe travel conditions.
More than 34 million Californians were placed under flood watch on Monday. That’s about 90% of the state’s population and her 10% of the US population.
Parts of the central California coast received 1 to 1.25 inches of rain per hour, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Heavy rains on Monday caused massive flooding, landslides and debris flows that closed roads.
A total of 3 to 6 inches of rain has been observed over a wide area from just south of San Francisco to just north of Los Angeles. Solitary quantities of 6 to 10 inches or more have been observed in highlands near the coast.
As the rain slowly moved south toward Los Angeles on Monday, the National Weather Service said there was an increased risk of flooding, debris flows on land damaged by recent wildfires, and rocks and landslides on roads in mountains and canyons. I warned you.
A flash flood warning is in effect for downtown Los Angeles from Monday night until midnight local time, an area of more than 7 million people.
Hurricane-strength gusts of wind exceeding 74 miles per hour ripped through devastated states in the western United States. More than 37 million people were placed under storm warnings Monday in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona and Wyoming.
A 132 mph gust hits Auroville, California. Residents of Washoe, Nevada, were hit by 98 mph winds, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
“Major power outages, fallen trees and difficult operating conditions are expected.” National Weather Service in Sacramento Tweeted. “If you haven’t prepared yet, now is the time to prepare!”
Nearly 92,000 homes, businesses and other electricity customers had no electricity on Monday night, according to the government. PowerOutage.us.
The central California coast may also be at risk of tornadoes, said CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen.
bad weather is part of it A constant parade of atmospheric rivers Blow up the West Coast.
California is currently highly vulnerable to flooding. historic drought Also devastating wildfire – Means that the land cannot absorb much rain.
And after the onslaught of storms since late December, deadly floodGov. Gavin Newsom warned Sunday: “We still expect the worst to come.”
Two more heavy rains are expected to hit the west coast over the next few days. There are very few breaks between events for the water to recede.
the system is part of atmospheric river – A long, narrow area in the atmosphere that can carry moisture thousands of miles, like an empty fire hose.
A 1-in-50- or 1-in-100-year rainfall could occur near Fresno as an atmospheric river crashed through California on Monday, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
In California, more than 26 million people, including San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Fresno, are at moderate risk (Level 3 of 4) with an inch of rain per hour.
The San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz County is in the stage of major flooding, rising 14 feet in just four hours. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey, parts of the county will experience “shallow and widespread flooding,” and the city of Santa Cruz will experience severe flooding.
The threat shifts further south on Tuesday, with level 3 of 4 risk concentrated in Los Angeles.
“While some of the expected precipitation is impressive on its own, it’s important to note that it’s the preceding conditions that really set this event apart,” said San Francisco’s National Weather Service. says.
“Multiple systems over the past week have saturated soils and increased the flow of rivers and streams, setting the stage for this to be a high-impact event.”
In Sacramento County, officials warned of “imminent flooding” and issued an evacuation order for the Wilton community near the Cosmnes River before roads were impassable.
Wilton residents also had to evacuate during last week’s storm.
Eldorado, Monterey, santa cruz When Santa Clara When Alameda The county has issued evacuation warnings or advisories to some areas due to potential flooding and other safety risks as forecasters have warned of rising rivers.
Residents of all areas of Montecito, the City of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and parts of Summerland have been ordered to evacuate immediately due to the threat of an ongoing storm, the Santa Barbara County Incident Management Team said Monday. said at night.
“Leave now! This is a rapidly evolving situation,” the team said in a release.
Montecito is a haven for the rich and famous, including Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres.Monday marks five years since heavy rain hit the area deadly landslide.
Santa Barbara County officials advise residents, “If you choose not to evacuate, be prepared to support yourself and your family for a few days.” Road damage, flooding, or debris flow events. ”
Newsom asked the White House on Sunday to declare a state of emergency to support response and recovery efforts.
“We are in the midst of a deadly barrage of winter storms, and the State of California is putting all resources at its disposal to protect lives and limit damage,” Newsom said in a statement. “We take the threat of these storms seriously and want to keep Californians vigilant as more storms are approaching.”
San Francisco Mayor London Breed declared a state of emergency for the region on Monday after a series of winter storms that began on New Year’s Eve, according to a news release from the mayor’s office.
This storm system powerful cyclone Flooded roads, uprooted trees, and power outages across much of California last week. Before, new year storm The system caused a deadly flood.
At least 12 Californians have died in floods and other “storm-related effects” since late December, according to the California governor’s office.
In San Luis Obispo County, a sheriff’s office dive team and a Cull Fire Department rescue team were searching Monday for a 5-year-old child who was reportedly washed away in flood waters near San Miguel’s Salinas River.
“Floods claim more lives than any other natural disaster,” California Emergency Services Director Nancy Ward said Sunday. “Since Dec. 31, this flood has caused more deaths than the last two fire seasons, which recorded the largest fire area in California.”
Flood-related fatalities can occur when drivers attempt to cross stagnant water.
“With just a foot of water, your car is floating. Half a foot of water, you’re off your feet. Half a foot of water, you lose control of the car,” Newsom said.
“We see people getting around these detours because they don’t see the roadblocks. They think everything is fine and they risk their lives or We are putting the lives of first responders at risk.”
For those who don’t need to travel during the peak of this storm, “please don’t,” said Wade Crowfoot, California’s secretary of natural resources. “Be prepared for power outages and other disruptions. Have those flashlights, candles, batteries, and cell phone chargers ready.”
Flooded roads, fallen trees and broken power lines are already making travel difficult, according to the California Highway Patrol. Fallen trees crushed cars and homes over the weekend. A portion of the Pacific Coast Highway – U.S. 101, a major north-south highway, was closed Monday.
Santa Barbara Airport, the three-county regional airport, is closed due to flooding. airport officials said on Monday.
Newsom said California is experiencing “weather whiplash” and is now battling a fifth atmospheric river from severe drought conditions.
Most of the state has already received 5 to 8 inches of rain last week. An additional 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected in the coast and valleys through Tuesday, with more in the mountains and hills.
Swollen rivers can overflow and flood communities.
Rainfall over the weekend has renewed concerns of flooding in creeks, streams and rivers. Colgan Creek, Berryessa Creek, Mark West Creek, Green Valley Creek, and the Cosmnes River all have one of the following gauges: Above flood season Or expected to be in the next few days.
“The cumulative effects of successive heavy rains could lead to further flooding. the National Weather Service said Monday.
Humidity will set in the south on Monday night, and flooding is expected to “likely increase” in the Southern California coastal range on Tuesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Strong winds are expected as the storm pushes inland.
“Gusts of 45 to 50 miles per hour are likely to be seen in canyon areas, and wind gusts of over 60 miles per hour are possible in windy areas,” said the National Weather Service in Reno. Sierra Ridge could experience peak gusts of 130 to 150 mph on Monday.
At higher altitudes, heavy snow and ferocious winds are the biggest concerns.
Higher areas of the Sierra Nevada have seen more than 100 inches (8.3 feet) of snow in the past few weeks, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
An additional 6 feet of snow is now expected in parts of the Sierra.
