Atmospheric river storm hit California, high flood alert for millions

A strong, long-lasting Atmospheric River Storm with heavy rain and snow hit California causing extensive power outages, landslides, and high flood alerts.

Heavy rain is likely to stall Southern California, including Los Angeles. It increases the risk of floods throughout the day. According to the National Weather Service, catastrophic flooding is expected in Orange County and California.

An atmospheric river continues to produce a myriad of significant impacts across portions of California this afternoon. The latest Key Messages go into detail about these expected impacts that will persist through tonight and into the first half of the week. pic.twitter.com/h4YEWAjlPX
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) February 4, 2024

Power outages continue to be widespread across California. According to the tracking website PowerOutage.us, approximately 700,000 areas in California have lost power due to strong winds and rain. The heavy winds gusted to 98 miles per hour in Santa Clara. As well as 60 miles per hour at the San Francisco International Airport.

However, heavy rains could give Los Angeles a month’s worth of rain. In Central and Southern California, 3 to 6 inches of rain are expected across large areas. It is more than a month’s worth of rain in just a few days.

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There are reports of landslides and debris flows due to an Atmospheric river storm in Los Angeles County in Malibu and Beverly Hills. As well as in the Santa Monica Mountains and nearby sloppy areas.

State officials follow evacuation orders for residents of Santa Barbara, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Ventura County due to life-threatening floods and landslides. CNN affiliate KABC said officials went door-to-door to ask residents to leave their residential places in Sun Valley, California.

According to the weather service, severe wet snow will fall in eastern California and along the border with Nevada today at 2 to 3 inches per hour in the Sierra Nevada. A heavy snowstorm caused by dangerous wind gusts will cover grounds above 5,000 to 6,000 feet.

Furthermore, the government of California has closed schools due to a hit by an Atmospheric river storm. Santa Barbara City has closed all its schools following the effects of the Atmospheric River storm. University Fullerton in California State has switched to remote learning rather than physically attending classes.