California battered by mudslides and flooding during three-day storm
The storm triggered several landslides throughout the state
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A brutal storm that battered California is winding down as of Wednesday morning, with heavy rain beginning to subside.
Much of California was on flood watch on Monday and Tuesday as some regions approach ten inches of total rainfall while bracing for floods and landslides.
Road blockages, landslides and toppled trees have already been reported in and around Los Angeles. A massive tree also crashed in a Los Angeles neighbourhood on Monday, damaging parked vehicles and downing power lines.
Officials warned Californians to avoid road travel and prepare for power outages, mud or rock slides and coastal flooding. Portions of the US-101 and Pacific Coast Highway were blocked on Monday as rainfall intensified and floodwaters rushed onto the major roadway.
Meanwhile, Santa Barbara County officials issued evacuation warnings for some waterfront neighbourhoods, which could persist through Wednesday.
Many parts of California are already saturated from the heavy rain after a storm earlier this month caused hundreds of landslides so far.
Several neighbourhoods under evacuation warnings in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County officials have issued evacuation warnings for waterfront neighbourhoods as a destructive storm hits the region.
The warnings come amid threats of flash flooding and landslides from excessive rain, the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management said in a statement. The risk will persist through Wednesday.
This risk for floods and landslides comes after a tumultuous storm earlier this month that caused hundreds of landslides in Los Angeles alone. Soils remain saturated from the previous rainstorm, the National Weather Service said, increasing the risk for flooding and muslides this week.
Beverly Hills, West Hollywood under flash flood warnings
Some of California’s most iconic — and wealthiest — cities are under flash flood warnings until 6 pm local time, according to the National Weather Service.
More than 800,000 people across Malibu, Calabasas, Beverly Hills, Topanga, West Hollywood and other southern California cities are under the warnings.
Earlier this month, Los Angeles and the surrounding Southern California region saw a similar storm that brought hundreds of landslides and intense flooding.
Wind gusts hit over 60 miles per hour this weekend
As a brutal storm blows into California, wind gusts peaked at 61 miles per hour in the state’s southern region yesterday.
Meanwhile, Santa Rosa island, just off the state’s coast, saw peak gusts of 63 miles per hour.
Elsewhere in Southern California, wind gusts peaked in the 40s and 50s, according to the National Weather Service.
Gusts are only expected to worsen as the storm blows through the state starting today and lasting through Wednesday.
SEE IT: Road closures, flooding on Southern California freeways
Ten inches of snow in California mountains
More than ten inches of snow hit the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, according to the University of California, Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab. Another two feet could blanket the region by Wednesday morning.
High-elevation residents should avoid driving, officials warn, as heavy snowfall could create whiteout conditions.
Northern California reports 5% probability of tornadoes
There is a 5 per cent probability of tornadoes, severe hail and severe wind in northern California today, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Forecasters are also predicting severe, isolated thunderstorms with medium confidence in the region. The worst impacts are set to hit before 12 pm local time on Monday, the NWS warns.
Power outages, flooded roadways and landslides are all major hazards facing northern California residents as these storms strike. Officials are warning residents to stay weather aware and prepare for potential hazards.
ICYMI: Fresh concerns for LA County about this week’s atmospheric river storms
Weather officials said there is “concern” for Los Angeles County ahead of today’s new atmospheric river weather system that threatens to bring more potential destruction to the area.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles says that overly saturated ground – a result of recent poor weather and flooding – may raise the chances of further landslides in and around LA.
California was previously battered by similar weather systems, during which nine people were killed, and billions of dollars worth of damage was incurred.
Read more about officials’ concerns about today’s storm from Mike Bedigan:
Fresh concerns for LA County ahead of new California atmospheric river storms
Weather officials said that overly saturated ground – a result of recent poor weather and flooding – may raise the chances of further landslides in and around LA
ICYMI: Several neighbourhoods under evacuation warnings in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County officials have issued evacuation warnings for waterfront neighbourhoods as a destructive storm hits the region.
The warnings come amid threats of flash flooding and landslides from excessive rain, the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management said in a statement. The risk will persist through Wednesday.
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