California battered by mudslides and flooding during three-day storm

The storm triggered several landslides throughout the state

Floodwaters rush through Montecito, California on Monday afternoon

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.

Key Points

• Entire Bay Area under flood watch
• Mudslide damages roadside fence in Los Angeles
• SEE IT: Massive tree falls in Los Angeles neighbourhood, damaging cars and power lines
• Southern California rainfall total approaches 10 inches in some areas

[21 February 2024 13:00 · Katie Hawkinson]

What are atmospheric rivers, the weather phenomena that left a lasting impact on California?

This week, a swirling low-pressure system is bringing torrential rain, strong winds and heavy snow to the state of California.

That storm, set to last through Wednesday, means an increased risk of devastating mudslides — a hazard worsened by a historic atmospheric river that passed through California earlier this month.

In early February, a deadly Pacific storm, the second “Pineapple Express” weather system to sweep the West Coast in just a few days, dumped torrential rain over Southern California, triggering street flooding and mudslides throughout the region. The event killed at least nine people and caused 400 mudslides in Los Angeles alone.

Thanks to the torrential downpour, the California soils are over-saturated, leaving them prone to slides.

The storms that have pummeled California both in early February and this week have been caused by what is known as atmospheric rivers.

Here’s a look at the phenomenon:

[21 February 2024 14:00 · Katie Hawkinson]

IN PICTURES: Flooding and high tides in California amid storm

California officials warned of high waves and coastal erosion on Tuesday (REUTERS)

A flooded roadway in Santa Barbara County, California on 19 February 2024 (Santa Barbara County Public Works Department)

Heavy rain caused waterways to swell (via REUTERS)

[21 February 2024 17:33 · Katie Hawkinson]

What are atmospheric rivers, the weather phenomena that left a lasting impact on California?

This week, a swirling low-pressure system is bringing torrential rain, strong winds and heavy snow to the state of California.

That storm, set to last through Wednesday, means an increased risk of devastating mudslides — a hazard worsened by a historic atmospheric river that passed through California earlier this month.

In early February, a deadly Pacific storm, the second “Pineapple Express” weather system to sweep the West Coast in just a few days, dumped torrential rain over Southern California, triggering street flooding and mudslides throughout the region. The event killed at least nine people and caused 400 mudslides in Los Angeles alone.

Thanks to the torrential downpour, the California soils are over-saturated, leaving them prone to slides.

The storms that have pummeled California both in early February and this week have been caused by what is known as atmospheric rivers.

Here’s a look at the phenomenon:

[21 February 2024 18:21 · Katie Hawkinson]

ICYMI: Watch as high surf slams California’s Bay Area coast

The entire Bay Area was under flash flooding alerts on Tuesday.

[21 February 2024 20:22 · Katie Hawkinson]

SEE IT: ‘Firehose of moisture’ blowing across California