World

California flood watch issued as next atmospheric river looms

Excessive rain and flood watches have been issued for northern and central California as an atmospheric river storm looms.

Karen Graham

Published

March 9, 2023

Snow has snarled mountain roads around sothern California, as a brutal, but unusual, winter storm grips the area - Copyright AFP Dimitar DILKOFF

Snow has snarled mountain roads around sothern California, as a brutal, but unusual, winter storm grips the area - Copyright AFP Dimitar DILKOFF

Excessive rain and flood watches have been issued for northern and central California as an atmospheric river storm looms.

After enduring winter storms that have dumped as much as 10 feet of snow in some areas, Californians – still digging out from the white stuff – are now being encouraged to prepare for severe flooding, according to CNN News.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued excessive rainfall and flood advisories for close to 17.5 million people across central and Northern California – including the San Francisco Bay area and Sacramento – and parts of Nevada.

Highway 20 between @nevadacityca
and the I-80 connector remains closed tonight due to snow removal operations. These photos provided by our Maintenance superintendent tell the story. Crews continue to work on clearing enough snow for two lanes. Credit – CalTrans District 3.

“A warm, wet storm will bring major impacts to interior NorCal Thursday – Sunday with heavy rain and flooding, high elevation snow, and gusty winds. Another system could bring additional widespread precipitation early next week. Take advantage of the break today to prepare!” Tweeted the NWS.

Reuters is reporting that In Tulare County, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux issued an evacuation warning on Wednesday for homes and businesses along a stretch of the Kings River, which drains the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in advance of “this rain-on-snow event.”

In response to the ominous forecast, officials in Marin and Monterey counties in California have begun preparations ahead of the looming storm, with some communities advising residents and businesses to stock up on essentials that would supply them for at least two weeks.

Compounding the deluge are the cold temperatures and high winds expected for much of the region overnight Thursday. Lows in the upper 30s and 40s are expected for most of the Bay Area, and in the mid-30s in the interior valleys.

Peak gusts overnight Thursday night into Friday morning could be 20-30 mph across most of the area, and 30-40 mph in San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, and the East Bay interior, reports NBC News.

In this article:Atmospheric river storm, cold temperatures and heavy winds, excess rainfall and flooding, North and central California, supplies for two weeks

Written By Karen Graham

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.