California is facing a significant threat of flooding as rain continues to fall relentlessly in the state. Almost the entire population of California is under a flood warning, and authorities are urging people to stay off the roads to avoid the risk of flooding and landslides.
This comes as California is still recovering from a powerful storm earlier this month that brought unprecedented rainfall and caused hundreds of landslides in the southern part of the state.
The threat of flooding has affected around 37 million people, with waves of rain drenching large portions of the state. The Santa Barbara airport has closed due to significant flooding, and numerous highways across the state have been closed due to flooding and rockfalls.
Water rescues have been carried out, with two people being safely pulled from a flooded vehicle in San Luis Obispo County. Additionally, there has been a rare severe weather risk, with severe thunderstorm warnings issued for certain areas.
The heavy rain is expected to continue beyond Monday as a river-fed atmospheric storm stalls just off the west coast. The National Weather Service has issued excessive rain forecasts through Tuesday for much of California.
Major cities such as Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Diego are facing significant risks of flooding, and the National Weather Service has warned of possible large mudslides or rockslides on canyon roads and debris flows in areas recently burned by wildfires.
Furthermore, higher elevations are bracing for heavy snowfall, with winter storm warnings in effect for the Eastern Sierra and the Great Lake Tahoe area. Travelers are being warned about difficult or impossible travel conditions and possible delays.
With the rounds of rain and snow expected to persist for the next few days, California residents are being urged to exercise caution and be prepared for potentially hazardous conditions.