Officials say the continuous storms inundating California have caused at least two fatalities and have ordered the evacuation of almost 10,000 people as severe flooding threatens numerous coastal counties.
The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 4 of 4 warning for excessive rainfall in the area as a result of the strong storms’ widespread distribution of heavy rainfall across the central and northern regions of the state.
President Joe Biden has accepted the state of emergency declaration that Governor Gavin Newsom requested on Thursday night, opening the door for financial support for both the storm’s response and recovery efforts, according to Nancy Ward, head of the state’s Office of Emergency Services.
Over 25,000 individuals are without power and the National Weather Service has issued flood alerts for almost 25 million people.
According to the National Weather Service, some remote sections of the state have gotten more than a foot of rain. The National Weather Service predicts that the heaviest rain will migrate south and become less intense this tonight and into the early morning hours. But, rain is expected to persist into the weekend, raising further concerns about floods.
Another big atmospheric river event is anticipated to hit the area early next week as inhabitants in several of California’s mountain villages remain stranded by snow following back-to-back winter storms.
The National Water Center said, “Multiple rounds of rainfall in addition to melting snow will result in the potential for significant rises along streams and rivers, with widespread flooding impacts possible through early next week.”
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Two fatalities have been confirmed and approximately 9,400 residents are under evacuation orders, Ward said at a Friday news conference.
Flash flooding is expected to be a particular concern in California’s central coast to the Sierra Nevada foothills over the next six to eight hours, David Lawrence from the National Weather Service said. More than a dozen shelters have been opened in nine counties to house those forced from their homes, Ward added.
CalTrans, the state’s transportation department, has about 4,000 crew members working 12-hour shifts during this weather event, who are already removing downed trees and clearing drainage culverts to minimize flooding, deputy director John McKeever said. The California National Guard has deployed 36 high water vehicles to respond to rescues as well, added Cal Guard’s David Kauffman.
In Fresno County, three elderly women, including a 104-year-old, were rescued after being stranded in a house, Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said. By Friday afternoon, floodwaters in the county had “risen considerably” and an evacuation order was put in place for all residents, according to the sheriff’s office.
The worst rainfall and most significant impacts expected to persist through the day Friday. Hourly rainfall rates will steadily increase in intensity across California through Friday morning, potentially reaching 1 inch per hour.
Story adapted from CNN
