Atmospheric river brings rain and flood threat to California
Rain fell from an atmospheric river in parts of California early Monday as another storm began testing the state's preparedness, weeks after a deadly deluge caused power outages and devastating mudslides.
Flood warnings were in effect through Wednesday for millions of people, mainly in California, as the possibility of thunderstorms, strong winds and rain continued to threaten the central and southern coasts.
“So the soil is quite sensitive,” said Brian Hurley, a senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service, referring to the significant rainfall the state has endured in recent weeks. “So that's why you're seeing a lot of flood watches right now.”
The state emergency service announced this on Sunday it had deployed emergency servicesincluding helicopters and rapid water rescue teams, in 14 provinces before the expected impact of the atmospheric river.
This was reported by the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles expected precipitation totals of three to five inches for much of Southern California, with a greater range of four to eight inches expected in the mountains and their foothills.
Urban flooding and mudslides were possible in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties during periods of heavy rainfall, the National Weather Service said, adding that there were high chance of thunder.
Officials in Santa Barbara County this weekend issued an evacuation warning through Wednesday for select communities.
Communities in Los Angeles County, where relatively less rain was expected, still was in danger of mudslides and debris on roads because that area “suffered the brunt of the latest storm,” the weather service said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass residents pleaded this weekend to prepare.
Homeowners and workers in the city's hilly neighborhoods spent Sunday preparing sandbags and laying plastic tarps over muddy hills that still bore the scars of the last storm.
Some residents, including Staci Broussard, 58, made sure to fortify their properties shortly after the storm ended. Ms. Broussard's home in Baldwin Hills Estates, a neighborhood overlooking South Los Angeles, was damaged by the previous atmospheric river that flowed through the city.
The slope behind Ms. Broussard's house crumbled, toppling part of the iron fence in her backyard, sending mud and vegetation down the hill from her neighbor's house, on a hill above.
Ms. Broussard and her neighbor have secured tarps over the hill to prevent more mud from sliding down.
“As you can see, we have tarps everywhere because unfortunately this is happening all over the area,” she said on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Weather Service warned boaters of dangerous sea conditions, indicating they remain in port. The storm also threatened to erode the coast and damage structures there, officials said.
Farther north, forecasters said thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning were possible in the Bay Area on Monday afternoon. The San Francisco Peninsula, which includes the city of San Francisco, was expected to receive up to eight inches of rain. The Santa Cruz Mountains and Big Sur coast could receive three to five and three to six inches, respectively.
Much of the Sacramento Valley was underwater a wind advisory until Tuesday morning. That's what the weather service in Sacramento said heavy thunderstorms accompanied by “short tornadoes” were possible in the area on Monday afternoon.
Vik Jolly contributed reporting from California.