Drivers drive on flooded highway in dangerous conditions
Flash flooding in Redding, California forced motorists to navigate flooded roads. Video shows dangerous conditions on Interstate 5 northbound.
SAN DIEGO — A series of storms threatens California with heavy rain and strong winds, as forecasters warn that a major atmospheric river could cause life-threatening flash flooding and power outages in parts of the state.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on social media on December 23 that he has ordered state agencies and emergency management officials to deploy crews, equipment and resources before more rain and intense winds hit the state. The National Weather Service said a “moderate to high risk” of flash flooding is expected in Southern California on Dec. 24.
Areas including the San Fernando Valley, Downtown Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Conejo Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Paula, Altadena and Glendora are at “highest risk” of life-threatening flooding and rock and mudslides, according to the Los Angeles/Oxnard Weather Service.
Parts of Los Angeles County burned by wildfires earlier this year remain vulnerable to flash floods, mudslides and debris flows. Local authorities issued an evacuation advisory for residents in the burn area on the morning of December 23rd.
The storm strengthened after heavy rain had already caused flooding and closed roads in Northern California over the weekend. At least one person was killed in Redding, California, authorities said.
The Shasta County Coroner’s Office on Dec. 22 identified the deceased as Richard Michael Wilsey, 74. Redding Mayor Mike Littau told the Record Searchlight, part of the USA TODAY Network, that Wilsey was trapped inside the car and alerted emergency dispatchers. Littau said Wilsey told the dispatcher that water had started getting into her car before the call went off.
“RPD (Redding Police Department) officers swam out into the water, broke the window and pulled the victim back to shore,” Littau said, adding that CPR was performed, but medical personnel were unable to revive Wilsey.
Police, fire and other city personnel also “worked through the night to respond to power outages and flooding incidents and rescue multiple people stranded by rapidly rising water levels,” the city said in a statement.
Strong winds hit Northern California
The San Francisco Bay Area Weather Bureau announced that it has issued a strong wind warning and wind advisory from 4:00 pm local time on December 23rd to 4:00 am local time on December 24th.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that “strong winds could cause trees to fall, power lines to snap, property damage to occur, and large-scale power outages to occur.”
Wind gusts of up to 105 mph are possible along the Pacific Coast, San Francisco and interior Monterey County, the weather service said. Meanwhile, wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible in the interior North Bay, interior Bay Area, and South Bay.
More rain and flooding to come in California
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said heavy, powerful rain is expected as an atmospheric river flows over the state, accompanied by a coastal low. A prolonged period of heavy snow will cover the Sierra Nevada mountains through Friday, making conditions difficult for vacationers heading up the mountain pass. Meanwhile, strong wind conditions across the region are likely to cause trees to fall and power outages, the center said.
Reading Police Sergeant Paul Slagle said local authorities were also preparing for the next round of wet weather.
Up to 2 inches of rain is expected to fall in Redding as the next round of rainfall arrives in Northern California on Tuesday, Dec. 23, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento. A flood watch is in effect until Friday, December 26th, for multiple areas in northern and central California, including Shasta County.
According to the National Weather Service, heavy rain is expected to continue over Southern California on December 24th. Precipitation there could cause severe and widespread flash flooding, resulting in flood watches for some parts of the region.
“Additionally, areas that do not normally experience flash flooding may be flooded,” the Bureau of Meteorology said. “Furthermore, lives and property are at great risk.”
Evacuation advisory issued for Ventura County
According to the USA TODAY Network’s Ventura County Star, Ventura County officials issued evacuation warnings and advisories, urging residents to remain vigilant and prepare for heavy rain.
The strong winter storm is expected to peak between the night of December 23 and Wednesday the 24th, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Another round of heavy rain could bring heavy rain to the region from Christmas Eve night into Christmas Day. Showers are likely to continue until Saturday 27th December.
Coastal and valley areas could see 4 to 8 inches of rain in just five days. Up to 12 inches of rain can fall in hilly and mountainous areas, and precipitation can exceed 1 inch per hour at times.
“This is a lot of rain that will continue for several days,” said Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Oxnard, California.
Following weather system could produce fountains and tornadoes
Dr. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, said one thing that struck him about this week’s system was the highly unusual risk of severe thunderstorms.
In a social media post, Swain referenced an advisory issued Tuesday morning by the National Weather Service’s San Francisco Bay Area office, saying, “Multiple low-top supercells could produce very strong wind gusts and even some tornadoes.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center said there is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms along California’s coastline late Wednesday into Friday, with a 2 percent chance of producing tornadoes or fountains, the agency said. Still, the possibility of cells becoming isolated as a cold front passes through indicates the potential for severe thunderstorms to develop and rotate, especially in the late morning and early afternoon, the center said.
“This system appears to be even more advantageous than the first system, which was much more unstable,” the center said. “This is the most severe weather-friendly environment we’ve seen in a while.”
