“The reality is that this is only the eighth of nine atmospheric rivers. That we expect,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said Saturday. “We’re not done.”
Californians should prepare for flooding and possible landslides as “heavy to excessive rainfall.” Is expected over the weekend and into next week, forecasters warned Saturday.
As recovery efforts continue in parts of the state hit by storms earlier this week. The National Weather Service said in a bulletin. That several Pacific storm systems were forecast to impact the West. This weekend with “heavy low-level rain, significant mountain snow, and strong winds.” ”
The first system will approach the coast on Saturday and move inland, the bulletin said. With “many slight risks of more rainfall” that could cause. “Urban and small stream flooding as well as localized occurrences of mudslides.”
“More moderate rain will continue through Sunday before a second storm system approaches. The coast early Monday morning,” the bulletin said.
Forecasters say 3 to 6 feet of snow will fall through.
Monday in the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Sierra foothills could get 2 to 3 inches of rain. With the potential for mudslides and flooding, they said.
More than 22,000 California utility customers were without power Saturday evening. According to poweroutage.us. A large majority were connected to Pacific Gas & Electric, which operated a wide. Swath of the state from the northern tip of Southern California to nearly the Oregon border.
According to NBC News, the Golden State has been hit by a series. Of storms since late December that have killed at least 21 people.
Authorities spent the week searching for 5-year-old Kyle Doan. Who was reported missing Monday after floodwaters swept him away near San Miguel.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that operations were suspended.
Again Saturday due to rising water levels and water conditions. When conditions permit, the office said.
‘We’re not done’
There has been some break in the storm, giving residents time to assess the damage, but more rain is to come.
“The reality is that this will be only the eighth of nine atmospheric rivers that we expect,” he said. “We’re not done.”
Atmospheric rivers, a term coined by a pair of MIT scientists in 1994, are streams of water vapor. That can be up to 500 miles wide and 2,000 miles long. They carry approximately 25 times the water equal of the Mississippi River. At 10,000 feet above Earth.” According to some estimates. 20 to 25 trillion gallons of water fell in the last 16, 17 days, stacking these atmospheric rivers. The likes of which we have not experienced in our lifetimes,” Newsom said
The governor blamed climate change, which has increased weather extremes, including severe storms. While slightly but significantly raising temperatures across the state. He said Earth scientists studying the effects. Of global warming have long predicted such extreme and deadly winter weather.
“None of this is surprising,” Newsom said.
According to National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Keitel. How many atmospheric rivers will hit California in recent weeks has not been finalized. And some storms may be calculated differently.
Flooding, strong winds continue
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning. Saturday for parts of the Sacramento River. With the Tehama Bridge reaching flood stage. And Ord Ferry expected to reach flood stage by late evening.
California Highway Patrol Officer Darrell Horner said. Mail contractor’s payload just. After 5 p.m. It played a role.”
The National Weather Service office that serves the Bay Area said.
The night could include “brief heavy rain, small hail and gusty winds.”
Parts of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties were under mandatory. Evacuations Saturday night, authorities in both jurisdictions said. The orders covered flood-prone, low-lying areas.
A road collapsed Saturday in a pile of blacktop near the coastal. Town of Pescadero, south of Half Moon Bay, officials said.
In Napa County, motorists are asked to avoid northbound Highway 29 due to flooding.
Newsom, and other state and federal officials urged residents to “remain vigilant.” And avoid complacency as the latest weather system approaches.
“I know how tired you all are,” Newsom said in a speech Friday during a visit to the coastal.
“Just be a little more cautious next weekend,” he said.
His visit came on the fifth anniversary of the landslide. That killed 23 people and destroyed more. Than 100 houses in the upscale community.
Speaking in Merced County on Saturday, Newsom thanked. Members of the California National Guard for clearing a catch. He asked people to use “common sense.” and follow the directions of law enforcement officials.
Nancy Ward, director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Echoed Newsom’s message and urged people to be vigilant.
It’s very, very dangerous,” Ward said at a press briefing. “And the water may rise well after the storm has passed.”
Residents are assessing the damage
Damage assessments from recent storms, which have already begun. Submerging cars and uprooting trees in parts of the state.
In Southern California, authorities have determined that storm-related sewage discharges. Into the Ventura River are much higher than initially thought. Two Ojai Valley Sanitary District sewer lines damaged Jan. 9 spilled more. Than 14 million gallons, the Ventura County Environmental Health Division said Thursday.
Elsewhere, residents tried to salvage belongings. And rescue workers pulled survivors from collapsed homes. Friday after a tornado-spawning storm system. That barreled across parts of Georgia and Alabama killed at least nine people.
The widespread destruction comes a day. After violent storm winds toppled mobile homes, toppled trees. Toppled utility poles, and derailed a freight train.