LOS ANGELES – The hits keep coming to California because the state deals with an onslaught of atmospheric river storms that has brought torrential rain and life threatening flooding, mudslides and debris flows to many parts of the state.
Widespread flooding was reported across California on Monday and Tuesday, with greater than 300 reports of flooding coming into various National Weather Service offices across the state. While heavy rain drenched much of the Golden State; Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties were hit especially hard, with greater than 15 inches of rain falling in higher elevations.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles reported 2.73 inches of rain fell in downtown Los Angeles while Bel Air, just northwest of the town, picked up 5.27 inches of rain.
Several rivers also reported record-high water levels, including the Ventura, Salinas and Sisquoc rivers, in addition to Sespe Creek.
As much as 10 inches of rain was also reported within the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, especially in Fresno, Mariposa and Tulare counties.
The NWS in Los Angeles also said this most up-to-date atmospheric river storm that has been delivering relentless rain across the region is now “essentially the most impressive storm to strike the world since January 5-7, 2005.”
Between 5-10 inches of rain has already fallen within the coastal foothills of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Locally over 15 inches of rain fell on coastal foothills.
California has been slammed recently with several storms, including a bomb cyclone that ravaged parts of the state with heavy rain, high winds and pounding surf.
As of Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the series of powerful storms has claimed the lives of no less than 17 people, which is greater than wildfires over the past two years combined.
There have been also reports that a young boy had been swept away by the raging floodwaters in San Luis Obispo County on Monday. Rescuers were in a position to rescue his mother from the truck she was driving however the boy was gone.
Based on FOX 11 in Los Angeles, the boy’s shoe was found before the search was called off after about seven hours on account of the damaging conditions.
Up to now, the boy has not been declared dead, in line with San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tony Cipolla.
The heavy rain also led to rockslides, mudslides and debris flows across the state, and that prompted several roads and highways to be closed.
Caltrans said US 101 was closed near Gaviota on account of flooding and the huge amounts of debris covering the roadway.
Commercial
Work is being done to reopen the roads, but it surely’s unknown when that work will probably be accomplished.
More rain on the way in which for California
The FOX Forecast Center said a further 2 to six inches of rain will fall within the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range through Wednesday, and one other 1 to three inches is predicted along the coastal ranges of California.
Next storm on the horizon
One other atmospheric river storm will slam into California on Thursday, however the FOX Forecast Center said it won’t be as intense as what occurred in the primary a part of the week when intense bands of flooding rain affected large portions of the state.
Flash flooding fears
While those totals don’t look like much, due to the saturated soils across the state, any additional rain will result in more widespread flooding and in addition bring the danger of mudslides and debris flows.
1000’s of residents were evacuated from their homes on Monday due to the widespread flooding, and on Tuesday morning, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced a latest evacuation order for people living within the low-lying areas of the Salinas River. That evacuation order is in effect until further notice.
“We wish to ensure that everyone takes motion of what continues to be yet to return,” Gov. Newsom said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon. “We’re not out of the woods, and we expect these storms to proceed until the 18th, in many alternative shapes and forms.”
Several other evacuations have been ordered, including residents of San Ardo and areas of San Lorenzo Creek between San Lorenzo Park Road and Highway 101.
The whole town of Planada, California, has also been ordered to evacuate due to flooding. Based on the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, deputies are going door to door to assist residents evacuate.
Some evacuations, nevertheless, have been lifted.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office tweeted on Tuesday that evacuations along the Russian River have been lifted as of 11:20 a.m. local time. Santa Barbara County also lifted orders.
Flood Advisories and Warnings remain in effect across the state.
