Most powerful series of storm and floods hit southern California on Sunday, 22nd January, 2017. Dropping nearly 4 inches of rain, in the south of Los Angeles, flooding all the ways and raising concerns about damage of mudslides.
In several areas, commuters are expected to have a messy drive to work on Monday. By Tuesday, the rainfall is expected to ease slightly but not taper off. By flash flood warnings, many roads were closed across Southern California and Los Angeles, Multiple roads were blocked by fallen trees.
The rainfall had set up new records, as Long Beach Airport received 3.87 inches of rain by 5 p.m and Los Angeles Airport got 2.78 inches of rain on Sunday.
To rescue a couple, whose pickup truck was trapped in surging water in the west of Cajon Pass, Firefighters in San Bernardino County staged a dramatic swift-water rescue.
Flood waters rushed through California mountain communities and residents fled homes below the hillsides. Forecasts said, mountain locations could see up to 6 inches of rain. The rain fell at the rate of three-quarters of an inch per hour.
On Sunday, as the San Lorenzo River spilled over its banks for the second time within the month, sending muddy water and debris into yards and homes, the residents in rural Santa Cruz County watched helplessly and no injuries were reported in the area.
Paradise Park resident, Tammy Grove told the Sentinel newspaper, ”This is the fastest I’ve ever seen the river move. It’s already flowing under my house. I have may be 2 feet of clearance before it’s in my living room.”
Battalion Chief Aldo Gonzales with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said, the river is the highest he has ever seen it.
Because of water flowing across the lanes, traffic was diverted off Interstate 110 south of downtown Los Angeles.
Near wildfire burn areas in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Orange counties, authorities ordered evacuations. Officials said, potential debris flow could restrict access for emergency transponders.
Farther north, because of heavy snowfall, officials are warned of a “high avalanche danger” at all elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Due to the warnings of intense snowfall rates and gale force winds, the Sierra Avalanche Center advised on Sunday, against travel in the area.
National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Anderson said, the San Francisco Bay Area was under a high surf advisory along the coast until early Tuesday with expected waves of up to 19 feet.
After two people went missing in the water, near Pebble Beach on Saturday, the San Francisco Coast Guard warned of hazardous conditions at the beaches.
By massive waves on Saturday, a historic WWI-era ship called S.S. Palo Alto, docked near Santa Cruz was torn apart.
Wine Country Communities, already experienced destructive flooding in this month and faced new flood warnings after strong thunderstorms on Sunday.
Anderson said, “We’re seeing mudslides Bay Area wide.” Wind gusts topping 50 mph brought down trees across North California.
In Mendocino County, the fire officials told the Press Democrat newspaper of Santa Rosa, a massive oak toppled onto an apartment in the city of Ukiah, on early Saturday, crushing the building and killing a woman as she lay in her bed. The woman’s boyfriend and a 3 years old boy escaped.
By Mrudula
