Facebook
Youtube
Instagram
News

Atmospheric River: ‘Life-threatening’ Storm Lashes California With Rain, Wind And Snow

  • 11:48 am
  • |

Nearly 500,000 California residents have lost power as forecasters warn of “one of the most dramatic weather days in recent memory”.

Heavy rain and high winds are now lashing an area from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, and could bring “life-threatening” flooding through Tuesday.

It is the result of an “atmospheric river” effect, which is caused by airborne currents of dense moisture.

About 37 million residents, or 94% of the population, are under flood alerts.

As the storm arrived on Sunday evening, state governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in eight central and southern counties.

A state of emergency will allow the quick release of state resources for rescue, recovery and repair efforts.

“California: this is a serious storm with dangerous and potentially life-threatening impacts,” Mr Newsom said in a statement.

“Please pay attention to any emergency orders or alerts from local officials.”

Large parts of the state were already pounded earlier this week by another atmospheric river that brought record rainfall, gusty winds and heavy snow at high elevations.

Atmospheric rivers are a phenomenon in which water evaporates into the air and is carried along by the wind, forming long currents that flow in the sky like rivers flow on land.

This system is known as a “Pineapple Express” because it brings warm subtropical moisture across the Pacific from near Hawaii.

Experts are warning residents that flooding and travel problems could be exacerbated from remnants of the previous storm, which caused significant damage, prompted water rescues and closed parts of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway.

Thousands of residents in parts of southern and northern California were ordered to evacuate on Saturday before the worst effects of the storm bore down.

In central and southern coastline areas, officials said more than 8,500 emergency first responders have been mobilised and some seven million sandbags have been distributed.

National Weather Service forecasters say the storm could “likely produce 24 to 36 hours (or more) of continuous rain”, with the worst expected between Sunday and Tuesday.

The region could see up to a month’s worth of rain – about three to 12 inches (seven to 30 cm) – with rainfall rates peaking in some areas at an inch per hour.

This could cause urban flooding, mudslides and flash flooding that necessitates swift water rescues, the NWS said.

The Los Angeles River “will fill quickly and become a raging river and a very dangerous place to be”, the weather service added.

Heavy mountain snow and damaging winds are also expected across much of the state.

The first of the two storms this week halted cable car service in the San Francisco Bay area before drenching Los Angeles and San Diego with torrential rain.

Also in northern California, around San Jose, a 100ft (30m) redwood tree crashed onto a car, trapping a girl inside, before firefighters managed to free her. She suffered minor injuries.

A San Diego resident Ruben Gomez told The Associated Press that firefighters had to rescue his parents after their home flooded with 6ft (2m) of water.

 

 

 

 

BBC

Kindly share this story:
Kindly share this story:
Share on whatsapp
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on telegram
Share on facebook
Top News

Related Articles

Facebook
Youtube
Instagram

CONNECT WITH US

Powered by
DNETWORK GLOBAL LIMITED
Copyright © 2020 - 2024