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intense and long lasting atmospheric river It entered California on Sunday, bringing heavy rain and snow with the potential for “life-threatening” flooding, mudslides and widespread power outages. Here's the latest information:
• Rarely high risk of flooding: A rare risk of level 4/4 excessive rainfall has occurred. On Sunday, it was expanded to include Santa Barbara and Oxnard in Southern California, as well as Los Angeles, with the Weather Prediction Center warning of “life-threatening flash flooding and urban flash flooding.” Rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour will dump 3 to 6 inches of rain across the area. A broader Level 3 risk exists for much of the California coast, including San Francisco.
• Los Angeles could get a month's worth of rain. Widespread totals of 3 to 6 inches of rain are expected in Central and Southern California, which is more than a month's worth of rainfall in most areas. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference Friday that the storm could be as strong as Tropical Storm Hillary last August and urged residents to take “common sense precautions.” did.
• Some residents were told to evacuateMandatory evacuation orders have been issued for communities in: santa barbara, San Jose and Ventura counties. Authorities warned residents of the possibility of “life-threatening” flooding and landslides caused by the atmospheric phenomenon. Several school districts in Santa Barbara County also canceled classes Monday due to inclement weather.
• First-ever hurricane wind warning: The National Weather Service in San Francisco issued the first hurricane force wind warning in recorded history on Sunday. Wind advisories and strong wind warnings have also been issued for about 30 million people in the inland area of the state, from Redding to San Diego.
• “Almost impossible” mountain trip: This storm is also expected to bring significant snowfall to eastern California and along the Nevada border. Heavy, wet snow is expected to spread across the Sierra Nevada into Monday, accumulating at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour, the weather service said.Dangerous gusts create whiteout conditions, making travel above 5,000 to 6,000 feet 'almost impossible', Bureau of Meteorology says Said.
• Widespread power outages possible: Strong winds are also a concern across much of California, with widespread winds of 40 to 60 mph, with possible gusts. In the foothills and mountains, speeds can reach up to 95 miles per hour. Forecasters warned that this was likely to cause downed trees and power outages on Sunday and Monday.
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National defenses against flooded roads and swollen rivers
This atmospheric river, a long, narrow band of moisture that carries saturated air thousands of miles and expels it like a fire hose, comes on the heels of another storm that brought record rainfall to much of California, including Los Angeles. I'm coming to
However, this time the storm is expected to be much slower, stalling as it moves over land, and the duration of rain will be much longer than in the first storm.
The worst of the storm will be between Sunday and Tuesday, the weather bureau said.
Parts of the state's central and southern coastlines are expected to experience the heaviest rainfall and flooding. This includes the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas.
“This damaging flooding will pose a threat to life and property,” Eric Schoening of the National Weather Service said at a news conference Saturday. “Please, if you come across a flooded road, please turn back to avoid drowning.”
Many roads could be flooded, major flooding could occur in streams, streams and rivers, and debris flows, rock slides and debris flows could occur, Schoening added.
Parts of Southern California's Transverse Mountains could see at least 8 inches of rain within 24 hours, with some areas more than 10 inches possible, the prediction center warned.
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Director Nancy Ward said more than 8,500 personnel, including immediate water rescue teams and helicopter rescue teams, are deployed across the state to respond to any potential calls for help. .
“The next storm is going to be impactful and dangerous,” Ward said at a news conference Saturday. “These are the most dangerous natural disasters we experience, with more people dying from storms and floods than wildfires each year.”
Mr Ward added that more than 7 million sandbags had been prepared and much rescue equipment was on standby.
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Residents in Long Beach, California, gathered sandbags in preparation for the storm Saturday with the help of lifeguards.
The National Weather Service said strong onshore winds will be felt across northern and central California into Sunday, eventually impacting southern California into Sunday night.
Wind advisories and high wind warnings cover most of California, from Redding to San Diego, affecting about 30 million people.
Officials are urging Californians to plan for alternative power sources in case of power outages and avoid non-essential travel during the peak of the storm.
“This is a very dangerous storm. So, your loved ones, please take care of yourself… Check on the safety of your elderly neighbors and anyone you know who may be homebound. please,” Ward said.
