Weather
2 Dead As Massive CA Storm Continues To Slam State
There's more to come for the entire state as an atmospheric river continues to create dangerous conditions across California.
CALIFORNIA — The potential for excessive and dangerous rainfall continued Thursday in California after conditions turned deadly Wednesday.
The storm left two dead Wednesday in Northern California, according to reports, which stated a 19-year-old died after her car hydroplaned in Fairfield and a 2-year-old was killed by a falling tree that struck a home.
Flooding is happening Thursday morning in San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Concord, Santa Clara, Berkeley, Richmond, Antioch, Daly City, San Mateo, San Leandro, Livermore, Redwood City, Mountain View, Alameda, San Ramon and Pleasanton, according to the National Weather Service.
Significant damage has already been reported in multiple locations, including the East Bay.
The NWS has also issued multiple flood warnings for Monterey County along the Carmel and Salinas Rivers.
🚨 Aptos - we’re experiencing coastal flooding along the coastal roads. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/uVANMQY52M
— CHP Santa Cruz (@CHPscrz) January 5, 2023
The Monterey Bay Area was hit hard by the storm, with sections of piers washed out in Aptos and Capitola.
An atmospheric river was still moving across the state Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, which forecast rainfall of over 1 inch per hour in coastal areas and the Sacramento Valley. Localized flash flooding and mudslides were anticipated, as were wind gusts of more than 50 mph and an increased likelihood of downed trees and power outages.
An inch of rain fell overnight at the Los Angeles International Airport, but some Northern California communities saw well over 2 inches, AccuWeather reported, with northern inland areas seeing winds above 100 mph. More than 170,000 customers suffered overnight power outages, according to AccuWeather, and certain Bay Area residents were forced to evacuate Wednesday afternoon.
BREAKING - The iconic cement ship in Santa Cruz County broke away this morning from the pier at Seacliff State Beach. Waves are HUGE, between 25-35 feet, according to Surfline. Largest swell of the winter. 🌊 The ship keeps getting hammered. #AtmosphericRiver @kron4news pic.twitter.com/RY0bfNbDOw
— Amy Larson (@AmyLarson25) January 5, 2023
In San Diego, the NWS reports that steady rain continues to fall, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible this afternoon.
As the week continues, a plume of moisture was expected Thursday over Southern California with a second plume moving onshore Friday over Northern California, according to the weather service.
Flooding in Rio Del Mar (Santa Cruz County) A lot of streets and homes are being inundated with high ocean water from the storm pic.twitter.com/iVEStJVGzc
— Kurtis Alexander (@kurtisalexander) January 5, 2023
Rapid snowfall of more than 3 inches per hour is almost guaranteed Thursday at elevations of 5,000 feet or higher, according to the service, creating dangerous travel conditions in the northern and central California mountains. While treacherous in the short term, the snow could be a good thing in the months to come — a third of the state's water is from melted Sierra Nevada snow and the statewide snowpack was at 174 percent of the historical average as of Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
READ MORE >>> Flooded Streets, Mountain Snow, Wind: Caution Urged For RivCo Drivers
Large breaking waves and rip currents were anticipated to create dangerous conditions at harbors and beaches, particularly in Morro Bay and Ventura harbors, according to the service, which noted minor coastal flooding was possible Thursday and Friday along the Central, Ventura and Santa Barbara South coasts.
Stormy conditions already starting to make some hits on the Santa Barbara and Montecito coastline. Two boats have crashed. Wave action has been aggressive. Winds picking up. This is only the very leading edge. Brace for impact late tonight and the overnight hours. pic.twitter.com/KrHYzJzWsP
— John Palminteri (@JohnPalminteri) January 4, 2023
The storm track is expected to stay open through next week with a series of storms projected to affect the Los Angeles area, according to the service, which forecast another strong storm could hit Monday and Tuesday. Heavy rain was also expected Monday in the Bay Area. The storm system could produce 1 inch of rain across coasts and valleys, and up to 5 inches across slopes and mountains in Southern California.
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