SAN FRANCISCO: California was hit by more turbulent weather on Sunday as thunderstorms, snow and damaging winds lashed the northern part of the state, ahead of another series of storms coming and causing road flooding, rising rivers and mudslides. The potential increased, which had already become saturated after days. of rain.
The National Weather Service warned of a “continuous parade of atmospheric rivers” — storms that are long plumes of moisture capable of dropping massive amounts of rain and snow across the Pacific.
In the state capital, more than 60,000 customers were still without power Sunday evening — down from more than 350,000 — after 60 mph (97 kph) gusts toppled trees, according to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Fell down
Joe Kleiman was listening to the howling of the winds after midnight, wondering whether she should move her car, when she heard a “huge, throbbing, crashing sound” at the Sacramento home where she had lived for 25 years. Was living
The gusts of wind were strong enough to uproot the tree, pulling up the concrete pavement with it.
A crack in Kleiman’s roof meant that rain streamed into his dining area overnight. He planned to put a tarpaulin over the damaged area in anticipation of another deluge.
“I was just feeling with the winds. Those were scary winds,” she said. “Mostly I focused on: It could be so much worse.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom said 12 lives had been lost as a result of violent weather during the past 10 days, and he warned that this week’s storms could be even more dangerous. He urged people to stay at home.
“Be vigilant during the next week, especially the next day or two,” Newsom said during a briefing with California officials outlining the state’s storm preparedness.
The weather service’s Sacramento office said the area should prepare for the latest atmospheric river to roar ashore late Sunday and early Monday.
“Widespread power outages, downed trees and difficult driving conditions will be possible,” the office said on Twitter.
Evacuation warnings were in place for about 13,000 residents of a flood-prone area of Sonoma County north of San Francisco, where the swollen Russian River was expected to exceed its banks in the coming days.
And Sacramento County ordered evacuations for people living around Wilton, a town of about 6,000 about 20 miles southeast of downtown Sacramento, with warnings of imminent flooding. The rural area along the Cosumnes River had seen flooding in earlier storms.
“Residents must evacuate now before roads become impassable,” the county said.
The state Department of Transportation warned motorists to stay off mountain roads after closing a section of US 395 due to heavy snow, ice and whiteout conditions in Mono County along the Eastern Sierra.
“With 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 department said in a statement.
The wet weather comes after days of rain from Pacific storms in California that last week knocked out power for thousands, flooded roads, battered beaches and killed at least six people. Went.
The first of the newest, heavy storms prompted the weather service to issue a flood watch for a large area of northern and central California, with 6 to 12 inches (. 15 to 30 cm) of rain is expected. ,
In the Los Angeles area, sporadic rain fell during the weekend, while stormy conditions were expected to return on Monday, with up to 8 inches (20 cm) in foothill areas. High surf was expected through Tuesday with large waves on west-facing beaches.
Since December 26, San Francisco has received more than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain, while Mammoth Mountain, a popular ski area in the eastern Sierra, has received about 10 feet (3 m) of snow, the National Weather Service reported.
The storms won’t be enough to officially end California’s ongoing drought — but they have helped.
State climatologist Michael Anderson told a news briefing late Saturday that officials were closely monitoring Monday’s incoming storm and another storm following it and three other systems in the Pacific.