California hits more storms, braces for potential flooding

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California was hit by more turbulent weather on Sunday as thunderstorms, snow and destructive winds ravaged upstate state, causing flooding of roads, flooding of rivers, and flooding of rivers before another string of storms hit. Flooding, landslides likely already saturated after many days of rain.

The US National Weather Service warned of a “constant parade of atmospheric rivers.” This is a storm that stretches a long plume of moisture into the Pacific Ocean and can bring a staggering amount of rain and snow.

In the state capital, more than 276,000 people were killed Sunday in the city of about 525,000 residents after gusts of wind exceeding 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) destroyed power lines, according to the Sacramento City Public Utility District. A customer lost power.

The Weather Service’s Sacramento office said the area should prepare for an even stronger storm system moving in late Sunday and early Monday.

“Widespread power outages, downed trees and difficult driving conditions are likely,” the office said on Twitter.

Evacuation warnings have been issued for about 13,000 residents in flood-prone areas of Sonoma County, north of San Francisco. In the area, the swollen Russian River was expected to flood its banks in the coming days.

The State Department of Transportation warned motorists to stay off mountain roads after closing the stretch of US 395 in Mono County due to heavy snow, ice and whiteout conditions along the Eastern Sierra.

“Due to the severe nature of this storm, Caltrans is asking all drivers to limit non-essential travel until the peak of the storm has passed,” the agency said in a statement.

The wet weather hits California after days of rain from the Pacific Storm last week that left thousands without power, flooded roads, destroyed coastlines and killed at least six people. .

The first of the latest, more intense storms has caused the weather bureau to predict 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of rain by Wednesday in the already saturated foothills of the Sacramento area, and rain in northern and central California. A flood warning has been issued for large areas of California. .

The Los Angeles area received sporadic rain over the weekend, but stormy conditions are expected to return on Monday, with up to 8 inches (20 cm) of rain possible in the foothills. High waves are expected through Tuesday, with big waves on west facing beaches.

More than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain has fallen in San Francisco since December 26, while Mammoth Mountain, a popular ski area in the Eastern Sierra, has seen nearly 10 feet (3 m) of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It is said that

The storms haven’t been enough to officially end the ongoing drought in California, but they have helped.

State climatologist Michael Anderson said at a news briefing late Saturday that officials are closely monitoring the coming storm on Monday and another behind it, with three other storms further out in the Pacific. He said he was monitoring the system.