New waves of extreme rainfall are expected on Monday, as predicted by the country’s Meteorological Service
With a decree signed late on Saturday (local time, this morning Greek time) US President Joe Biden declares a state of emergency in California, as bad weather has been pounding the so-called Golden State since December 26, resulting in the loss of lives at least 19 people and cause floods, power outages, landslides, evacuations of settlements and road blockages.
Biden’s order provides federal aid to support the efforts of state and local governments, as well as indigenous peoples in their jurisdictions, in areas affected by severe storms, flooding and landslides, according to a White House statement. The executive order also makes federal government funding available to those affected in Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties, the White House said.
After severe weather, residents in California are bracing for another heavy downpour today after three weeks of record levels of rain. A significant wave of rain – and snowfall in the mountains – yesterday swept many areas of the state, the most populous in the US, where the ground is already saturated with rainwater.
A new “atmospheric river,” a narrow band in the atmosphere that carries huge amounts of moisture from the tropics, is expected tomorrow, Monday, a US holiday, bringing “new waves of extreme precipitation,” the National Weather Service predicted.
The power grid has already been affected, while farmland and roads have been flooded. The National Weather Service expects “catastrophic flooding” in the lower-elevation areas of the Salinas River Valley, a large rural area south of San Francisco Bay.
“It’s not over,” California Governor Gavin Newsom warned at a press conference, noting that even if the intensity of the rain eases, the ground is already saturated with water and there is still a significant risk of flooding. Acknowledging the weariness of Californians after several weeks of rain, he said: “I pray that we all maintain our vigilance and our common sense for the next 24-48 hours.”
RES-EMP
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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.
