Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency
Torrential rains continue to batter California today, which was hit yesterday by a “bomb cyclone” that brought strong winds and torrential rain
Northern California, especially the areas around San Francisco and Sacramento, is at greatest risk.
Tens of thousands of households have been left without electricity, roads have been closed and authorities have warned of landslides and flooding. Thousands of sandbags were distributed to residents of flood-prone areas.
They also pointed out that this storm could cause deaths and a little later the fears were confirmed.
A baby has died in Sonoma County after a tree fell on a family’s home.
Wednesday’s severe weather is officially considered deadly in California. https://t.co/toUiPLY7GT
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) January 5, 2023
As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 60,000 households were without power, and more than 80 flights to and from San Francisco airport were canceled.
In some counties in the region (Mendocino, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara) roads were flooded, traffic was blocked, trees were uprooted and landslides occurred.
The US Weather Service (NWS) predicted that winds could reach 110km/h and heavy rainfall, with rain in the San Francisco Bay area expected to reach 10cm, while snowfall in the mountains of Sierra Nevada to exceed one meter.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency yesterday.
Series of storms from the ‘atmospheric river’
Northern California is still dealing with the effects of a series of storms.
Marin County is opening a severe weather emergency shelter at the Marin Health and Wellness Campus (3240 Kerner Boulevard in San Rafael) because of heavy rainfall and hazardous conditions, according to a county news release.https://t.co/ECBDBcamEs
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) January 4, 2023
The most recent erupted on New Year’s Eve and caused landslides and power outages. At least one person died after being trapped in their vehicle by floodwaters, authorities said.
December 31 was the wettest day on record in San Francisco since records were kept, with 14 centimeters of rain.
Under these conditions the region’s soil, which has been parched by the drought that has plagued the western US states for two decades, will find it difficult to absorb water from new storms, increasing the risk of flash floods.
Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This storm hitting California is due to an ‘atmospheric river’
“Atmospheric rivers” are regions in the atmosphere where a significant amount of water vapor is concentrated, rising from the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.
This phenomenon is accompanied by a “cyclonic bomb”, a system that causes a sudden and rapid drop in atmospheric pressure, creating particularly strong winds.
According to meteorologists, the series of storms currently affecting California will continue.
“We expect one more over the weekend,” Solum pointed out. “And then there’s probably a lot of storms expected next week. And maybe the next one too,” he added.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
