California weather

Thousands of people in California were forced to flee their homes as severe weather continued to batter the state.

Moderate to heavy rains were expected across much of California through Tuesday and into the night, while several more feet of snow were expected to accumulate along the Sierra Nevada, it said. Two people killed in what appeared to be storm-related deaths in Sacramento County over the weekend were identified by the county’s coroner’s office Monday. Heavy rainfall in the area, which is home to 10,000 people, had already flooded roads and creeks, he said. "All commercial flights are canceled until further notice, and the terminal is closed," it said. It was not immediately clear Tuesday morning when the search would resume. A child is also missing after being swept away when floodwaters swamped a vehicle in the northern section of the county, near Paso Robles, according to Scott Jalbert, another official with the agency. [Climate change](https://www.nbcnews.com/climate-in-crisis) has made extreme precipitation in California twice as likely, with extreme weather predicted to generate 200%-400% of surface runoff, rainwater that cannot be absorbed by soil, by the end of the century, according to research by the [UCLA](https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/climate-change-makes-catastrophic-flood-twice-as-likely) environment and sustainability department. "When all is said and done, precipitation totals over the next few days will be in the 3-7 inch range through the Transverse Range of southern California, northward along the central to northern California coast ranges and through the Sierra," it said. Two people were able to get themselves out of the sinkhole, while firefighters were able to safely extricate the other two, who were treated and taken to a hospital with minor injuries, it said. The heavy rains are expected to worsen the ongoing flooding and prolong the risk of flash flooding and mudslides across the state. Moderate to heavy rains were expected to continue to hammer much of California on Tuesday as a fresh low-pressure system barreled toward the state as part of a [severe weather](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-faces-parade-cyclones-power-outages-rcna64836) continued to batter the state, leaving one person dead this week and a child missing, while tens of thousands of utility customers were still without power Tuesday morning.

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.

Thousands of Californians fled their homes. Another massive storm was forecast for Wednesday as tornado and thunderstorm warnings were issued.

Although wet winters and dry summers are a natural part of California's weather patterns going back millennia, the question arises: ] [Are this year's storms something out of the ordinary](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/01/09/california-storms-climate-change/11017796002/)? What experts say.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/01/09/california-storms-climate-change/11017796002/) [California storms: Climate change or something else?] [California could face a "parade of storms" over the next several weeks, on top of recent deluges that have killed at least 14 people, triggered flooding, knocked out power and forced evacuations and school closures up and down the coast. "And that is both unusual, but also typical in the longer context." [ posted video on Instagram of flooding](https://www.instagram.com/p/CnNnn09hYD4/?hl=en) near her home. The primary target will be northern California northward up the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Farther south, about 10,000 residents in and around the Santa Barbara County community of Montecito were ordered to evacuate.

At least 14 people have been killed and the search was called off for a five-year-old boy who was swept away in raging floodwaters.

As the atmosphere continues to heat up, it becomes capable of holding more water and leads to more rainfall. Winter storm warnings were put in place over mountain ranges from the Sierra Nevada and Klamath Ranges to portions of the central Rockies. The heavy rain has also led to rapid water rises in rivers and streams across California and portions of far western Nevada. These weather phenomenon occur globally, but are common on the west coast where they drag moisture onshore from the Pacific creating up to half of annual rainfall. Forecasters also warned that mountain communities faced increased avalanche risk due to the heavy snowfall, and damage to infrastructure. Total rainfall is expected to be three to seven inches in California from recent days of deluges alone.

California weather: A parade of storms is forcing evacuations in places like Montecito and Santa Cruz, CA due to flooding and mudslides.

Yet another atmospheric river -- a long, narrow region in the atmosphere that can transport moisture thousands of miles -- will hit from Northern California into the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday, the prediction center said. To the north, on the central coast, Santa Cruz County saw widespread damage Monday, according to images from Cal Fire. It was wetter in the mountainous areas of Southern California, where more than a foot of rain fell from Sunday to early Tuesday, particularly along the Ventura and Santa Barbara County mountains. "This has resulted in nearly saturated soils and increasingly high river levels." That included several people who were clinging to branches of floodwater-surrounded trees. Major road closures: Flooding has closed numerous roadways this week, including parts of the seaside Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) in Southern California, officials said. As of Monday afternoon, at least 14 people in California have died because of recent storms -- "more lives than wildfires in the past two years combined," Gov. Also ordered to evacuate: Residents nearby, including in parts of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Summerland. Roads were impacted by boulders, debris and flooding, Santa Barbara city officials reported. An hourslong search for the child was suspended Monday afternoon "because the weather had become too severe and it was not safe anymore for first responders," San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Tony Cipolla told CNN. Montecito evacuated: In Southern California, the entire oceanside town of Montecito -- a haven for the rich and famous -- was ordered to evacuate Monday because of significant flooding, mudslides and debris flows. On Monday, trees crashed down, homes lost power and major roadways were turned into rivers or otherwise closed as storms unleashed powerful winds and heavy downpours.

Thousands of residents are ordered to evacuate, and parts of U.S. and state highways were closed because of flooding, mud or rockslides, heavy snow or car ...

She said in the post that they were told to shelter in place because they are on high ground. 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. The precipitation expected over the next couple of days comes after storms last week knocked out power, flooded streets, and battered the coastline. Firefighters using helicopters rescued more than a dozen people trapped on an island in the surging waters. Crews worked into the night to pull them free. McLeod said she feels fortunate because her home sits on high ground and the power is still on. A 5-year-old boy vanished in floodwaters Monday on the central coast. Areas hit by wildfires in recent years faced the possibility of mud and debris sliding off denuded hillsides that have yet to fully recover their protective layer of vegetation. The boy had not been declared dead, said spokesperson Tony Cipolla of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. The Eastern Sierra’s Mammoth Mountain ski resort reported 4.5 to 5.5 feet of snow, with more expected. Evacuation orders were issued in Santa Cruz County for about 32,000 residents living near rain-swollen rivers and creeks. The closures included northbound lanes of U.S.