In brief
California's northern counties are under flood watch due to forecasted heavy rain and king tides, which have caused significant flooding and trapped drivers in vehicles. Authorities report ongoing rescue efforts amid warnings for further storms. Areas like Santa Barbara County saw severe mudslides and have begun reopening key highways. Following a dry autumn, California is experiencing one of its wettest seasons, resulting in substantial challenges for residents and infrastructure.
CORTE MADERA, Calif. — Crews are hard at work clearing mud from key California highways as forecasters warn of more thunderstorms on the horizon. Recent heavy downpours and record high tides have caused widespread flooding and road closures, with many people requiring rescue from vehicles trapped in rising waters.
As of Sunday, five northern counties remain under a flood watch, with the National Weather Service predicting up to three inches of rain in some areas through Monday night. The storm system has been persistent, bringing moisture to the region since around Christmas, and forecastes indicate a possibility of up to a foot of snow in the mountains.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, water levels are finally beginning to recede after the unprecedented flooding that affected areas from Sausalito to San Rafael. The king tides, which occur when the moon is closest to Earth, were particularly severe.
While some locals took to kayaking through the submerged streets, others found themselves wading through waters that reached upwards of four feet. Authorities responded to numerous calls for assistance, stating that emergency efforts have been ongoing to help trapped individuals.
Further south in Santa Barbara County, a significant mudslide had blocked a major highway for much of the weekend, with recent rains pushing totals to over four inches in some areas. Thankfully, a critical route near Goleta has since been reopened, albeit sadly marked by the loss of a life after an individual was swept into a creek.
As communities begin to assess the damage and recover, meteorologists caution residents to remain alert, as lingering thunderstorms may surface and pose additional threats in low-lying areas. Travelers are advised to drive cautiously and allow extra time for their journeys.
This winter has been marked by a series of powerful storms, bringing much needed moisture to California, but also the wettest holiday season in years, which has resulted in numerous challenges across the state.
