California atmospheric river brings downpours, tornado threat and leaves 37 million on flood watch: Live
Weather report shows back-to-back storms set to slam California this weekend
Almost the entire state of California is on flood watch on Monday with up to ten inches of rain possible in areas, along with tornadoes.
More than 37 million people are facing strong winds, torrential rain and snow in mountain areas until Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Californians were warned to prepare for power outages, mud or rock slides and coastal flooding. Public officials urged drivers to stay off flooded roads.
Tornadoes were possible in the Sacramento Valley region, according to forecasters, along with the slight risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of inland northern California. The heaviest rain — up to ten inches — is set to hit the Saint Lucias and Saint Ynez Mountain ranges, according to the NWS.
This latest atmospheric river began to swamp California on Sunday, the latest in a series of back-to-back storms to hit the state.
Many parts of California are already saturated from the heavy rain and there have been hundreds of landslides so far.
SEE IT: Satellite imagery of storm barreling towards West Coast
Katie Hawkinson19 February 2024 14:40
California residents survey damage caused by historic storms: ‘We were in shock’
During torrential downpours earlier this month, firefighters responded to a heavy debris flow in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles, evacuating seven homes.
Residents told Mike Bedigan they had “not even remotely had anything like this before”.
Read the full report here:
Katie Hawkinson19 February 2024 14:21
Fresh concerns for LA County ahead of new California atmospheric river storms
California was previously battered by similar weather systems, during which nine people were killed, and billions of dollars worth of damage was incurred.
Mike Bedigan19 February 2024 14:00
Watch: Rock landslide covers street with trees and debris in California
Rock landslide covers street with trees and debris in California
Mike Bedigan19 February 2024 13:00
In pictures: Scenes of destruction in California
Across California, residents were still battling the impacts of last week’s atmospheric river-driven storms which caused flash flooding and hundreds of devastating mudslides.
Mike Bedigan19 February 2024 12:00
Flood watch in LA County to start at 4am on Monday morning
Mike Bedigan19 February 2024 11:00
Second atmospheric river weather system to stay until Wednesday
The second atmospheric river weather system to hit the West Coast in recent weeks is expected to last until Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) has said.
A forecast on Sunday said that following a brief period of isolated, light showers across the region, a stronger storm system moves into the area by the afternoon.
“This second system will stick around into Wednesday and bring periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, cooler temperatures, high-elevation snow, and a slight chance of thunderstorms,” the NWS said.
“Dry weather with warming temperatures are expected to follow on Thursday and Friday.”
Mike Bedigan19 February 2024 09:00
Sodden blankets, swollen hands and police sweeps: Surviving on the streets during LA’s historic storm
Devastating storms have battered California this winter, bringing death and destruction to major cities including Los Angeles. Members of the homeless community, some of the most vulnerable people during extreme weather events, shared their stories of survival with Mike Bedigan.
Read the full report here:
Mike Bedigan19 February 2024 07:00
On the edge
Aerial images show homes along Scenic Drive standing on the edge of a cliff above the Pacific Ocean after a landslide following heavy rains in Dana Point, California, on February 15.
Mike Bedigan19 February 2024 05:00
Dark skies, bad weather could have led to fatal California helicopter crash that killed six people
US safety investigators are looking into what caused last week’s helicopter crash that killed the CEO of one of Nigeria’s largest banks and five others.
Read the full story here:
Mike Bedigan19 February 2024 04:00