Deadly flooding just hit California and multiple months’ worth of rain is on the way
By Karina Tsui, Chris Dolce, Mary Gilbert, CNN
(CNN) — Drenching rain from an atmospheric river-fueled storm triggered deadly flooding and evacuations over the weekend in Northern California. It’s the start of a hazardous holiday week for the state with multiple storms and months’ worth of rain expected in Southern California.
At least one person is dead after flash floods inundated Redding, roughly 150 miles north of Sacramento, according to Redding Mayor Mike Littau, who said police and fire crews carried out water rescues Sunday.
A police officer pulled the victim from a flooded vehicle, Littau said Monday morning, though the official cause of death is still under investigation. Officials have not said how many water rescues were carried out in the city.
Shasta County, where Redding is located, was hit particularly hard Sunday evening, with heavy rain flooding multiple roadways, including parts of Interstate 5, according to officials.
Nearly a month’s worth of rain fell in the Redding area Saturday through Sunday: One of the city’s fire stations measured just over 5 inches of rain.
Redding police said they responded to “numerous calls for stranded motorists” and urged drivers to avoid flooded streets.
Paul Mast posted video of his son standing in the middle of a Shasta County road flooded by a nearby creek. Mast said they were on their way to a family Christmas gathering but had to turn around because floodwater had washed out part of the road.
Shasta County wasn’t the only area underwater on Sunday: Crews also performed water rescues in Humboldt County, where the floodwater was chest-deep in some places.
Farther east, in Placer County, rising water on the South Yuba River prompted evacuations. Officials issued warnings for multiple properties in Cisco Grove in the Sierra Nevada on Sunday and at least nine people were evacuated from one home there, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
More flooding rain, debris flows and rock slides are widespread concerns with this week’s multiple storms. Strong winds that could potentially knock out power are also expected.
Much of California is under a flood watch until Friday.
New storms will expand serious flood threat across the entire state
Heavy, potentially flooding rain will continue to focus on Northern California into Tuesday, especially from the northern Sierra Nevada foothills into the Bay Area.
Then another, more widespread storm steps up to the plate. This strong atmospheric river is set to slam the entire state Tuesday night into Wednesday.
A Level 3 of 4 flooding rain threat is in place for more than 17 million people in Southern California on Wednesday, including the Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Santa Barbara metros, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
Another atmospheric river will be right on its heels, keeping stormy conditions locked in over the state Thursday into Friday.
Level 2 of 4 threats of flooding rain persist in much of the state on Thursday and Friday.
Rainfall totals in Southern California through Saturday could be as much as 4 to 8 inches in coastal and valley locations, while foothills and mountains see 8 to 12 inches.
To put those totals into perspective, a city like Los Angeles could see anywhere from two months’ worth of rain to nearly half a year’s worth in just a week.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned of significant issues from the upcoming storms, including “widespread urban flooding, mud and debris flows and very hazardous driving conditions.”
“START TAKING PROTECTIVE ACTIONS NOW,” the NWS urged Sunday night.
Recent wildfire burn areas will be particularly prone to debris flows.
The abundant moisture will also fuel feet of snow farther north in the Sierra Nevada and make travel there difficult or impossible at times. It will be a big change for the region, which has had much less snow than usual to start the season.
Some relief from this nonstop stormy pattern looks to finally arrive for the upcoming weekend.
This story has been updated.
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CNN’s Sarah Dewberry, Danya Gainor, Eric Zerkel and Meteorologist Allison Chinchar contributed to this report
