CALIFORNIA: At least two people have died, and nearly 10,000 residents are under evacuation orders as the result of the ongoing storm inundating California, officials said.
Intense flooding has caused evacuation warnings in various coastal counties amid intense storms delivering heavy rainfall across the northern and central parts of the state and prompting the Weather department to issue a warning of excessive rainfall in the area.
Meanwhile, the declaration of the State of Emergency requested by Governor Newsom Thursday night has been approved by US President Joe Biden, clearing the way for financial assistance in responding to the onslaught and recovery of the storm, said Nancy Ward, Director of the Office of Emergency Services.
Around 25 million people are under flood alerts issued by the National Weather Service, and over 25,000 are without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us.
As residents in several of California’s mountain communities remain trapped by snow from winter storms, the weather will continue to hit the area over the weekend.
Rain spills and melting snow to raise rivers and streams’ levels
The National Water Center said, “Multiple spills of rainfall in addition to melting snow will result in the potential for rises along rivers and streams, with widespread flooding impacts expected through early next week.”
Two deaths have been confirmed, and nearly 9,400 residents are under evacuation orders, said Ward at a Friday news conference.
Over a dozen shelters have been opened in nine counties to house those forced from their homes, Ward added.
The National Weather Service’s David Lawrence said that flash flooding is likely to be a particular concern in California’s central coast to the Sierra Nevada foothills during the next six to eight hours.
CalTrans, the transportation department of the state, has nearly 4,000 crew members working 12-hour shifts during this storm, who are already removing downed trees and clearing drainage ditches to minimize flooding, Deputy Director John McKeever stated.
Cal Guard’s David Kauffman added that the California National Guard had deployed nearly 36 high-water vehicles to respond to rescues.
In Fresno County, three older women, including a 104-year-old, were rescued after being stranded in a house, Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said. By Friday afternoon, floodwaters in the county had “risen considerably,” and the sheriff’s office placed an evacuation order for all residents.
The worst rainfall and most significant impacts are expected to persist through Friday. Hourly rainfall rates will increase in intensity across California through Friday morning, potentially reaching 1 inch per hour.
Parts of the Sierra Nevada above 8,000 feet could get hit with 8 feet of snow. The Weather Prediction Center said that creeks and streams in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains remain the most vulnerable areas for flooding from rain and snowmelt.
