Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Nearly 26 million people in California were under surveillance floods on Saturday, mainly between San Francisco and Los Angeles, while the winter storm caused by a atmospheric river It was rolling across the state, bringing mudslides and traffic jams to areas hit by severe weather in recent weeks.
the last of a series of powerful storm fronts driven by atmospheric rivers hit California again on Saturday, as the state continues to grapple with heavy rain, flooding, strong surf and mudslides that caused widespread damage and forced thousands to evacuate.
At a news conference Saturday in Merced County, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said storms are to blame for at least 19 deaths.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that waves of heavy rainfall continue to batter California. Heavy rains will continue to bring the threat of flooding and landslides and mudslides. Travel will be hazardous due to heavy mountain snowfall and blizzards from California to Colorado.
Waves of heavy precipitation continue to batter California. Heavy rain will continue to bring the threat of flooding and mudslides/landslides. Hazardous travel due to heavy mountain snow and blowing snow from CA to CO. pic.twitter.com/6LQXmxC6zh
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 15, 2023
A series of atmospheric rivers, large regions in the atmosphere that carry water, are responsible for the storms that have battered California since December 26. Saturday Newsom estimated that California has been hit by eight atmospheric rivers so far, with a possible ninth.
were ordered new emergency evacuations in some low-lying parts of Santa Cruz County, which has been particularly affected by storm surges. On Saturday, the Rio del Mar esplanade, located along Seacliff State Beach, was flooded and even more rain is expected, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, officials were urging the public to prepare for the next storm.
Governor Gavin Newsom called on state residents to prepare for the ninth atmospheric river arriving Sunday night through Monday. He added that erosion and damage to trees will continue even after the rains stop.
Megadroughts. Wildfires. Historic floods and atmospheric rivers.
This whiplash weather is not an anomaly.
California is proof that the climate crisis is real and we have to take it seriously. pic.twitter.com/XWd35aWOOj
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 11, 2023
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood, wind and high wave advisories warning people across the state from Sonoma to San Diego of dangerous conditions expected through Sunday.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency Friday as a result of storms battering the country’s second most populous city. About 0.5 to 1 inch of rain is anticipated in Southern California from this second storm, with slightly more in the mountains and foothills.
Sunday morning there might be a short break before another wave of heavy precipitation begins to fall in California from Sunday to Mondayalthough it is expected to be lighter than what the state saw on Saturday.
It may interest you:
– Snow cover in the Sierra Nevada is 200% above normal thanks to winter storms
– Authorities issue mandatory evacuation order for the community of Montecito, in Santa Barbara County
– Southern California moves out of “extreme drought” category thanks to recent winter storms
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