A California storm caused flood waters to sweep through California mountain communities, and residents evacuated below the hillsides. They are scared of the wildfires and in the latest series of storms causing mudslides Sunday. The National Weather Service cautioned that the storm could be the strongest in the last seven years.
California has been overwhelmed with flood water and snow after years of drought. The San Lorenzo River spilled over its banks for the second time this month and residents watch helpless as the river sends muddy water and debris into their yards and homes. However, no injuries were reported. Paradise Park resident Tammy Grove told the Sentinel newspaper that it was the fastest he has ever seen the river move. Battalion Chief Aldo Gonzales with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the river is the highest level he has ever seen it.
Rain fell at a rate of nearly three-quarters of an inch per hour. Rock slides, debris flows and flooding closed roads and snarled traffic up and down the state. Flash flood watches and warnings were in effect for swaths of greater Los Angeles. The third storm in four days dumped heavy rain and snow in the mountains. Mountain locations could see up to 6 inches of rain.
According to the Yahoo, because of the California storm traffic was diverted 110 south of downtown Los Angeles because of water flowing across the lane to prevent more damages to travelers. While near wildfire burn areas in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Orange counties, authorities ordered evacuation. Authorities also said that the flow of debris could affect the access of emergency responders.
According to the ABC, in Mendocino County, a woman died while lying on her bed as a massive oak toppled onto an apartment and crushed the building, on the city of Ukiah early Saturday. The woman’s boyfriend and a three year old child managed to escape. Capt. Pete Bushby of the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority said heavy rain apparently had undercut the 125-foot tree.
The officials warned the high avalanche danger in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Sierra Avalanche Center advised Sunday warned travelers of the danger brought by intense snowfall rates and gale force winds. A California storm caused big surf rolled ashore, with a record 34-foot swells recorded Saturday in Monterey Bay. While in San Diego two women were swept from the shore, one woman was rescued, but the lifeguards took 40 minutes to save the other woman. The other one was hospitalized and is in critical condition.
