California flooding

Heavy rains that ravaged Central California are expected to move into the southern part of the state Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

As seas rise, others are exploring [how to harness marine energy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/interactive/2021/cop26-scotland-wave-energy-renewables/?itid=lb_more-on-climate-change_14&itid=lb_more-on-climate-change_8). It can feel overwhelming facing the impacts of climate change, but there are [ways to cope with climate anxiety](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/climate-change-anxiety-dread-cope/2021/07/14/471eb264-e4d4-11eb-b722-89ea0dde7771_story.html?itid=lb_more-on-climate-change_6). As temperatures rise, heat waves are more often sweeping the globe — and parts of the world are [becoming too hot to survive](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2021/climate-change-humidity/?itid=lb_more-on-climate-change_4&itid=lb_more-on-climate-change_3). Coren](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/11/28/why-washington-post-is-starting-climate-advice-column/?itid=lb_more-on-climate-change_9) is answering questions about environmental choices in our everyday lives. [Submit yours here.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-euNpVw9Z7xvi2ZoRiiE9why3YJTsHumbX9XrRe6bXX4Yrg/viewform?itid=lb_more-on-climate-change_10) You can also [sign up for our Climate Coach newsletter](https://www.washingtonpost.com/newsletters/climate-coach/?itid=lb_more-on-climate-change_11). [Sign up for the latest news about climate change, energy and the environment, delivered every Thursday](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/newsletters/#/bundle/energy?method=SURL&location=ART&itid=lk_interstitial_manual_17) [close](https://twitter.com/countyofsb/status/1612640759215169536) all public schools Tuesday. Ellen DeGeneres, also a resident, [posted ](https://twitter.com/EllenDeGeneres/status/1612591946635284480)a video urging her neighbors to flee. [photos](https://twitter.com/AmandaLeeUSAT/status/1612668148012191744) that circulated on social media. The National Weather Service noted that the rains come after a recent drought, with recent precipitation in the state at between 400 and 600 percent above average levels. President Biden agreed to Newsom’s request for a declaration of a state of emergency, paving the way for more federal assistance. [according to the office of Gov.

More than a foot of rain has fallen in parts of the state over the past 48 hours, flooding streets and prompting evacuations.

“Because eventually, if the storm drains are overwhelmed, there’s no other place for the water to go.” Your best defense, in other words, is to avoid it altogether. The subway is “the last place you want to be” during a flash flood, Ms. Here’s what to do in advance — and in the moment — to get through a flash flood safely. Lie down on the roof to keep yourself stable, and don’t tie yourself to the car, in case it rolls. If they won’t budge, he recommended breaking the glass with an escape tool (like [the one in this Wirecutter guide](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gear-for-a-roadside-emergency/#gear-for-your-glovebox), which you can store in your glove compartment) or using the [metal pole of your headrest as a ram](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgd6G68M4bc). “Everybody tends to underestimate the force of the water,” Ms. You can also toss treats in and out of the crate to help them develop their ease with entering and exiting a pet carrier, Mr. If you have a reptile, you’ll need a sturdy bowl for your pet to soak in and something to warm it with. [Microchips](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/microchips-reunite-pets-families/microchipping-faq), small transponders embedded into a pet’s skin that are linked to identification and the owner’s contact information, can later be scanned if the pet is lost. In the higher elevations, snow has fallen by the foot, and more is on the way. “Currently, we’re experiencing a storm that is causing many problems and has the potential to cause major problems across our county, especially in the burn scar areas.” Earlier storms had already pounded at the cliffs and washed away some barriers, like riprap — giant rocks placed at the edge of the cliffs to protect against erosion — a frightening sight for some residents.

More than 200000 residents are without power and thousands were ordered to evacuate after another powerful storm battered California on Monday.

[roughly 32,000 residents were ordered to evacuate](https://twitter.com/SantaCruzSO1/status/1612255718559854592) after the San Lorenzo River was declared at flood stage. [Another sinkhole in Santa Barbara](https://twitter.com/PIOSBCFireInfo/status/1612675364974886914) caused a road closure impacting 500 homes. Nearly all of California has seen average rainfall totals 400-600% above their average values, [the National Weather Service said](https://origin.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd&version=0&fmt=reg). Authorities [lifted the order](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=511749477811066&set=pcb.511749637811050) Tuesday afternoon but warned that "slides are still possible due to soil saturation levels." Over two days, [rainfall exceeded 13 inches](https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=LOX&issuedby=LOX&product=RRM&format=CI&version=1&glossary=0) in several parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. An evacuation order was lifted on Tuesday for the wealthy enclave of Montecito, home to celebrities like Oprah and Prince Harry. "This is crazy," she says, pivoting the camera to show rushing water. The vehicle became stranded in floodwaters while trying to cross a river [local media reported](https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/two-cars-fall-down-sinkhole-in-chatsworth-passengers-trapped-inside/). "This creek next to our house never overflows, ever. [ said](https://twitter.com/SLOSheriff/status/1612962972963422210?s=20&t=z0LaO_lsht7C46MZip8nyw). [.](https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article270956687.html)

Another storm is expected to barrel into the state beginning Wednesday, adding to the misery and further saturating areas already at risk of flooding and ...

In the wealthy seaside community of Montecito, 80 miles (128 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday for about 10,000 people, including Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities. Areas hit by wildfires in recent years faced the possibility of mud and debris sliding down bare hillsides. The wet and blustery weather left California’s large homeless population in a precarious situation. But flooding and mudslides could follow, even during a brief respite, because the ground remains saturated. [WATCH: California faces another round of storms and flooding](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/news-wrap-california-faces-another-round-of-storms-and-flooding) His mother was rescued, but Kyle was swept away, and a seven-hour search Monday turned up only one of his Nike shoes.

As of Monday, 90 percent of California's population were warned of a flood risk as the latest in a series of storms batters the Pacific state.

"We are taking the threat from these storms seriously, and want to make sure that Californians stay vigilant as more storms head our way." It tweeted earlier that public schools in the county would be closed on Tuesday, and said several highways had been closed due to debris flows and rock slides, as well as Santa Barbara airport. Evacuation orders have also been issued for around 32,000 people in Santa Cruz County, according to the Associated Press. It said a further 20 were pre-staged and on standby. President [Joe Biden](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/joe-biden) approved this declaration late Sunday night, the White House said. The town is home to ET, Santa Barbara county issued a shelter in place warning due to flooding. Advisories are also in place for Riverside and San Bernardino. [Prince Harry](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/prince-harry) and [Meghan Markle](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/meghan-markle), as well as [Oprah Winfrey](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/oprah-winfrey) and Ellen DeGeneres—the latter of whom [posted a video urging those on lower ground to flee for shelter](https://www.newsweek.com/california-flooding-video-devastation-unprecedented-rainfall-montecito-1772612). According to A Around 10 percent of the U.S.

At least 14 people have died and one child remains missing after parts of California were hit by severe storms that caused flash flooding and felled trees, ...

In 2018, heavy rainfall in parts of Southern California caused severe mudflows that led to the death of 23 people in Montecito. Earlier on Monday, state officials ordered people to evacuate several regions that face the threat of flash flooding and mudslides. That is the quantum by which the rainfall across California in the past few weeks has been higher than average according to the National Weather Service. [warning](https://origin.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd&version=1&fmt=reg) that “no significant letup” is expected soon as heavy rains move to Southern California on Tuesday. One minor positive of these severe rains is that they will provide some relief from the persistent drought that has plagued the state over the past few years. This includes the posh enclave of Montecito and nearby Santa Barbara County.

Southern California is facing yet another round of storms Tuesday, with much of the region still under flood, high wind and high surf advisories.

[called](https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=lox&issuedby=LOX&product=AFD) the storm in Southern California “the most impressive” since one that hit the region from Jan. [Five years to the day after deadly mudslides, rains again force families from their Montecito homes](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-10/montecito-mudslides-five-years-later) “I guess these people in the sinkhole are lucky to be alive too.” [left 23 people dead](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-10/montecito-mudslides-five-years-later). [17 people have died](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-10/tracking-the-deaths-from-californias-winter-storms) in the back-to-back storms that have hit California. “This is a lesson for the city in terms of planning the hillside communities,” said Hunt, a documentary filmmaker. [is not ](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-09/timeline-when-the-southern-california-storms-hit-hardest-this-week-when-will-rain-end) [entirely in California’s rearview mirror](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-09/timeline-when-the-southern-california-storms-hit-hardest-this-week-when-will-rain-end). “They need to look at erosion and when someone wants to cut down trees and build in the hills. [atmospheric rivers](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-04/a-satellite-view-of-the-atmospheric-river-hitting-california) to pound the state, is expected to generate less rain — defined more by periods of heavy showers than by steady rain throughout the day — but could still cause significant issues, including flooding and debris flows as communities reel from Monday’s extreme weather. Earlier in the day, authorities [lifted](https://twitter.com/PRCity/status/1612908995676610560) evacuation orders and warnings in Paso Robles. Malibu’s four public schools switched to remote learning Tuesday, [according to the city website](https://www.malibucity.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1548). Damage could top $1 billion](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-10/storm-northern-california)

Wednesday's cyclone will be the latest in a series of high-intensity storms to hammer California since New Year's Eve.

"What California has at the moment is it has lots of moist air being brought across the Pacific by the Jetstream. "And so you have these two sources of water: one coming from the Arctic cold air, which is being warmed up and therefore the warm air is then precipitating rainfall, and you have lots of rain coming from the Pacific." It expects the latest weather front to be "packing some thunderstorms" as well. "We are taking the threat from these storms seriously, and want to make sure that Californians stay vigilant as more storms head our way." "This has resulted in nearly saturated soils and increasingly high river levels," it said. It anticipates that the total precipitation over the coming days will range between 3 and 7 inches.

Floods and mudslides forced thousands of people to evacuate as more than 200000 homes and businesses left without power.

The 60-year-old owner of the Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary said one of her employees came to make a weekly food delivery and also became stuck. [250 trees have also toppled ](https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/map-storm-trees-fall-17706285.php)across San Francisco as a result of the storms, the Chronicle reported. McLeod said she feels fortunate because her home sits on high ground and the power is still on. In the San Francisco Bay Area, sewers and sewage treatment plants have been overwhelmed by rain, prompting a local officials to warn: “Don’t jump in puddles. But flooding and mudslides could follow, even during a brief respite, because the ground remains saturated. “We expect these storms to continue at least through the 18th of this month. A catastrophic barrage of storms has caused destruction since late December, with the latest hitting in recent days and more storms on the horizon. We expect a minimum three more of these atmospheric rivers.” A five-year-old was still missing after being swept away by floodwaters in Paso Robles, Newsom said, asking state residents to “just pray for a miracle” that the child be found alive. Union Station, a key transportation hub in downtown LA, was inundated with floodwater following downpours on Tuesday. This week’s storm has unleashed havoc up and down the state. Relatives and friends said their deaths highlighted the needs for

Californians are again being pummeled by heavy rainstorms this week. On Monday, the National Weather Service issued flood watches for 34 million ...

[14 inches](https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/precipMaps.php?group=sca&img=3) of water over the last 24 hours while the San Marcos Pass has been drenched in over [12 inches](https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/precipMaps.php?group=sca&img=3) of rainfall. By Wednesday, the storms will have drenched most of California with three to seven inches of water, according to the NWS. [PowerOutage.us](https://poweroutage.us/area/state/california), an online tracker or blackouts throughout the U.S. As a result, almost all of California has received between 400 and 600 percent above-average rainfall totals over the past few weeks, according to the NWS. California has experienced an almost non-stop barrage of heavy rainstorms since the beginning of January with more expected to hit the state later this week. [flood watches](https://www.weather.gov/images/crh/dhs/wwa_population.png) on Monday for about 34 million Californians or around 90 percent of the Golden State’s total population.

Ellen DeGeneres captured intense flooding in Montecito, California, Tuesday morning, urging residents to “stay safe.”

Communities throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties experienced more than 13 inches of rain over that time, while Los Angeles County, to the south, faced as much as 5.27 inches—far from California’s all-time [record](https://www.laalmanac.com/weather/we15.php) of 25.83 inches over just 24 hours, which was recorded in 1943 in the San Gabriel Mountains. That’s how many inches of rain fell over the past two days in the town of Nordhoff RIdge, California, in Ventura County, as of 7 a.m. Gavin Newsom (D), who called on residents to be “hyper-vigilant.” Tuesday according to the [At Least 14 Dead In California Floods As Almost 200,000 Homes Are Without Power](https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/01/10/at-least-14-dead-in-california-floods-as-almost-200000-homes-are-without-power/?sh=7c126f781310) (Forbes) [Evacuation Ordered For Celebrity-Filled Montecito As California Faces Historic Floods](https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2023/01/09/evacuation-ordered-for-celebrity-filled-montecito-as-california-faces-historic-floods/?sh=135275986f5a) (Forbes) [These are the California rivers that face flooding from storm](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-09/these-are-the-california-rivers-officials-fear-face-flooding-from-storms) (Los Angeles Times) [14 people](https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/01/10/at-least-14-dead-in-california-floods-as-almost-200000-homes-are-without-power/?sh=7d34bfba1310) in recent weeks, have been deadlier than the total number of wildfires in the state over the past two years, according to a [press release](https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/01/09/governor-newsom-to-californians-be-hyper-vigilant/) from California Gov. [National Weather Service](https://www.weather.gov/wrh/TextProduct?product=rrmlox)—the highest rainfall total in the state over the past two days. [evacuate](https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2023/01/09/evacuation-ordered-for-celebrity-filled-montecito-as-california-faces-historic-floods/?sh=135275986f5a) on Monday, after more than 16 inches of rain pelted already-soaked coastal mountains in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, according to the [National Weather Service](https://www.weather.gov/wrh/TextProduct?product=rrmlox). [called](https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=lox&issuedby=LOX&product=AFD) the “most impressive” in 17 years, comes less than a week after a band of heavy rain called an “ [atmospheric river](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/01/05/at-least-two-dead-and-nearly-180000-without-power-in-california-brutal-system/?sh=5cb8ed2e6499)” pelted the state, and after a New Year’s Eve caused significant flooding in northern California. [warn](https://twitter.com/CALFIRERRU/status/1612492409098670086) six inches of fast-moving water can carry away an adult, while 12 inches can carry away a car, and 18-24 inches can carry away SUVs and trucks. [poweroutage.us](https://poweroutage.us/). [flood warnings](https://twitter.com/JohnPalminteri/status/1612680626012065793) from San Luis Obispo, California, to Los Angeles, while parts of southern California remain [at risk](https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/excessive_rainfall_outlook_ero.php) of “excessive rainfall” into Wednesday, with more rain forecasted this weekend.

Rescuers resumed searching on Tuesday for a 5-year-old boy who was swept away by fast-rising floodwaters in Central California the day before.

“Kyle was a blessing, he was a child of love. Water was still raging down the creek where he disappeared, making it tough to gauge how far the boy may have been carried, he said. Monday on a rural path that winds between wineries and ranches and twice crosses the creek that feeds into the Salinas River, Mr. At some point, their car began floating away on rising waters, hit a tree and began filling with water. The family had held out hope for a miracle on Monday, Mr. The 5-year-old had been recovering from leg surgery in November, when doctors removed a metal rod from an earlier fracture, said his father, Brian Doan, in an interview on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service placed large swaths of the region under flood watch and noted that almost all of the state has seen 400% to 600% more rainfall ...

Although not necessarily linked directly to climate change, such phenomena are becoming more common as the world warms and weather becomes more unpredictable. “When it gets to 30 feet, which it’s going to be close to, there’s the risk of the entire city flooding,” Doll adds. Doll points out one potential benefit of all the flooding. On Monday, President Biden issued an emergency declaration to dole out aid and relief efforts in more than a dozen affected counties. “It’s sort of a compounding factor, so each storm is bringing areas of heavy rain to many of the same areas that were hit by the previous storm, then the next one is going over similar areas, then the next storm and on and on…” The mountainous Santa Barbara and Ventura counties have already gotten more than 16 inches of heavy rain. In areas where wildfires have weakened or cleared out the hillsides, the land is prime for flash flooding and avalanches. Thunderstorms moving from north to south also carry heavy winds that knock out power and threaten tornadoes in southern counties. Like many of his colleagues, Mike Doll, a senior meteorologist at Accuweather, has been following the flooding and examining the greater pattern of adverse weather this season in California. Around Sacramento, forecasts predict an additional six to 12 inches of rain through Wednesday. “If you’re driving and you come across a flooded roadway, do not drive through it, because you don’t know how deep the water is. Roads across central and northern California have turned into impassable rivers, leading to school closures and limited mobility exacerbated by fallen trees and mud and landslides along the state’s steep hillsides.

Thousands of residents were told to leave their homes as heavy rain caused flooding in parts of California. Relentless storms have killed at least 17 people ...

Here’s what to do in advance — and in the moment — to get through a flash flood safely. Lie down on the roof to keep yourself stable, and don’t tie yourself to the car, in case it rolls. You can also toss treats in and out of the crate to help them develop their ease with entering and exiting a pet carrier, Mr. In the higher elevations, snow has fallen by the foot, and more is on the way. On Wednesday, fire officials said, a redwood in the Sonoma County community of Occidental [crashed into a mobile home, killing a toddler](https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/toddler-dies-after-tree-lands-on-occidental-home/). Earlier storms had already pounded at the cliffs and washed away some barriers, like riprap — giant rocks placed at the edge of the cliffs to protect against erosion — a frightening sight for some residents. “Currently, we’re experiencing a storm that is causing many problems and has the potential to cause major problems across our county, especially in the burn scar areas.” The damage from weeks of storms and flooding in California could exceed a billion dollars, according to the state’s emergency agency and private weather forecasters. California’s Central Coast, where officials had ordered evacuations on Monday in a coastal enclave of Santa Barbara County, appeared to be the hardest hit area of a state that has been battered in recent weeks by The tires of some parked cars disappeared in the muck, and firefighters were knocking on doors to check on residents. On steep slopes, the water rushing downhill can accelerate, eroding soil in its path, picking up rocks and debris and joining with other rivulets of water to make a growing and potentially destructive mudslide. A Tesla driver hit the accelerator instead of the brake, drove through a wall and into a pool.

The onslaught of atmospheric rivers continues to pummel California this week, making roads impassable, creating massive sinkholes and dropping more than a ...

Swift water rescues were underway in parts of Ventura County. Toppled trees on the train tracks also caused delays for Los Angeles Metro passengers this week. Southern California is reporting some of the highest two-day rainfall totals. - Image 13 of 13 After the latest system passed, - Image 9 of 13