A potent atmospheric river storm, responsible for widespread power outages across California, continues to wreak havoc with heavy rain, mudslides, flooding, and substantial snowfall in mountainous regions. The storm’s focal point on Monday centered on Los Angeles, where 1.4 million people, including the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills residents, were under a flash flood warning. Responding to the crisis, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a local state of emergency.
While the intense winds from the previous day subsided, the National Weather Service cautioned about the potential for waterspouts or small tornadoes due to an unstable weather pattern. The primary concern, however, remained flash flooding, described as a more significant threat than potential tornadoes. The atmospheric river, comparable to a river in the sky, contributed to extreme rainfall and snow in the West, prompting additional forecasts of 5-8 inches of rain in some areas.
This unprecedented rainfall led to a state of emergency declaration in eight Southern California counties. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski warned of rapidly evolving life-threatening conditions in various communities. Significant incidents included a debris flow damaging approximately five homes in Beverly Hills, displacing about 10 people, and numerous mudslides and flooding situations, with the Los Angeles Fire Department deploying 1,000 firefighters to address emergencies.
Los Angeles set a record with over 4 inches of rain on Sunday, marking the most significant single-day rainfall in more than two decades. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am golf tournament in Monterey County, already postponed, was ultimately canceled, and Wyndham Clark declared the winner despite only completing 54 of the scheduled 72 holes.
The storm tragically claimed three lives, with incidents in Yuba City, Carmichael, and Boulder Creek. A man in Yuba City lost his life when a redwood tree fell on him in high winds, while two others died from fallen trees in Carmichael and Boulder Creek.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria issued evacuation warnings for flood-prone areas affected by heavy rains. Despite acknowledging community weariness from repeated warnings, Gloria emphasized the necessity of remaining prepared and vigilant. Flood advisories and watches were in effect for San Diego County.
Santa Barbara County, initially under evacuation orders, saw cancellations as the worst of the storm passed. While schools closed in anticipation of hazardous conditions, most were expected to reopen on Tuesday.
In Los Angeles, between 5 and 10 inches of rain fell, marking the third wettest two-day period on record downtown. Shelters accommodated the city’s homeless population, estimated at nearly 75,000, facing non-stop rain and freezing conditions.
The storm’s magnitude was underscored by estimates of 5.6 trillion gallons of water falling across California in two days. AccuWeather projected preliminary damage and economic losses ranging from $9 billion to $11 billion. The recorded 11.87 inches of rain at UCLA’s weather station constituted a 1-in-1,000 year rainfall event.
Mudslides ravaged multimillion-dollar homes in the Hollywood Hills, resulting in evacuations and significant damage. The Mammoth Mountain Ski Area experienced hurricane-force winds, reaching 125 mph, and accumulated 39 inches of snow. The storm’s moisture is anticipated to fuel heavy snow across the West and substantial rain in the typically arid Desert Southwest.
The convergence of climate change, El Niño, and record-high ocean temperatures contributed to the storm’s intensity. California’s vulnerability, following years of drought and wildfires, heightened the risk of mudslides and flooding.
Northern California faced hurricane-force winds, leading to toppled trees and power lines. San Francisco Bay area recorded wind gusts of 102 mph. The storm follows closely after the first Pineapple Express storm, intensifying impacts on already saturated regions.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office reported a record number of emergency assets responding to the serious and potentially life-threatening storm, leaving nearly 600,000 homes and businesses without power. The situation prompted evacuation warnings, landslide concerns, and a call for immediate action in wildfire burn areas.
In summary, California grapples with a historic storm, causing widespread devastation, prompting evacuations, and testing the resilience of communities in the face of extreme weather events.