California battered by mudslides and flooding during three-day storm
The storm triggered several landslides throughout the state
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
In pictures: Scenes of destruction in California
Across California, residents were still battling the impacts of last week’s atmospheric river-driven storms which caused flash flooding and hundreds of devastating mudslides.
Watch: Rock landslide covers street with trees and debris in California
Fresh concerns for LA County ahead of new California atmospheric river storms
Weather officials say there is “concern” for Los Angeles County ahead of a 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.
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
California residents survey damage caused by historic storms: ‘We were in shock’
During torrential downpours earlier this month, firefighters responded to a heavy debris flow in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles, evacuating seven homes.
Residents told Mike Bedigan they had “not even remotely had anything like this before”.
Read the full report here:
California residents survey damage caused by historic storms: ‘We were in shock’
Firefighters responded to a heavy debris flow in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles on Sunday night, evacuating seven homes. Residents tell Mike Bedigan they had ‘not even remotely had anything like this before’
SEE IT: Satellite imagery of storm barreling towards West Coast
California mountains could see up to ten inches of rain
The Saint Lucias and Saint Ynez Ranges could see up to ten inches of rain through Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Up to three inches of snow is also possible in the region.
Officials are warning residents to prepare for significant flooding as a result of the downpour and to move parked cars out of flood-prone areas.
SEE IT: Heavy rain in San Francisco, California
San Francisco saw heavy rain and winds on Sunday night as the first clouds of the upcoming storm rolled into California.
Gusts up to 50 miles per hour, as well as thunderstorms and flooding, are expected throughout Monday in the Bay Area, according to the National Weather Service.
Power outages begin
Across California, officials are warning residents to prepare for power outages as they brace for heavy rain and wind in several regions.
As of Monday morning, nearly 20,000 homes are already without power, according to PowerOutage.us. The vast majority of those homes are in Nevada County, which is being hit with heavy rain and wind this morning, according to the National Weather Service.
More outages across the state are to be expected as weather conditions intensify through Wednesday morning.
Los Angeles officials prepare shelters for unhoused people amid storm
Los Angeles city officials have opened winter weather shelters for unhoused people as a powerful storm hits the region, according to a statement from Mayor Karen Bass.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority outreach workers will also be offering transportation and hotel vouchers, the statement reads.
Earlier this month, the city faced heavy criticism from community organisers over their efforts to protect the unhoused population during a record-breaking storm.
“[The system] is not designed to help anyone that’s actually out there… It was such an abysmal response,” community organiser Carla Orendorff told The Independent several days ago. Read more about Ms Orendorff’s response and the impact of storms on unhoused people in Los Angeles, California from Mike Bedigan:
LA authorities’ response to homeless citizens during California storms ‘abysmal’
Community organisers say that contact with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has been difficult, exacerbated by the fact that many seeking shelter do not have phones or internet access
Northern California to see heavy thunderstorms, possible tornadoes in coming hours
Severe thunderstorms and heavy winds are set to hit the Sacramento, California region in the next two hours.
Residents should prepare for brief tornadoes, hail, rain, lightning and heavy gusts, the National Weather Service said.
Forecasters predict up to 6 inches of rain in the region through Wednesday. Up to eight inches of snow are also possible in California’s northeastern mountain ranges, bringing the possibility of whiteouts for mountain drivers.
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