California Braces for More Flooding as 12th Atmospheric River Nears
California state emergency officials are preparing for yet another onslaught of floods as a powerful storm system is set to slam storm-fatigued California Tuesday. This is the 12th atmospheric river of the winter season following a historic drought, bringing with it potentially devastating wind gusts, heavy rain, and heavy mountain snow.
“Now’s the time to make sure you and your family are prepared,” the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services tweeted Monday. “Gather supplies for a go-bag, prep for a power outage and if told by officials to evacuate, don’t wait!”
Swift-water rescue teams, hand crews and bulldozers have been stationed throughout the state. In addition, residents in the mountains of Southern California’s San Bernardino County were asked to limit travel as much as possible and maintain at least a two-week supply of food, water, medication and fuel ahead of the rapidly strengthening storm’s arrival.
Climate Crisis Likely Contributing to Increase in Atmospheric Rivers
UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said the storm is likely not going to be extreme by historical standards, but the amount of storms the West Coast has seen this winter season could be influenced by the climate crisis. An increase in the amount of moisture the atmosphere holds could lead to more storms, like atmospheric rivers, bringing more moisture inland and an increase in rainfall rates and flash flooding.
This colder storm system has already set off alerts for strong winds across California, Nevada and Arizona and it is already causing major problems in Tulare County with evacuations of two small towns due to multiple breaches in waterways and repair efforts that were unsuccessful with the amount of water.
Californians Brace themsleves for More Downpours and Rough Winds
But the biggest threat is likely in southern California, which could see 1–3 inches of rain across lower elevations and 2–4 across the foothills through Thursday. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a moderate flood threat to areas of Southern California covering more than 15 million people in coastal areas from Los Angeles to San Diego.
The powerful storm could also lash Southern California with maximum wind gusts reaching up to 75 mph, adding the dangers of fallen trees and power lines to the mix of hazards.
In the Sierra Nevada and Southern California mountains, as much as 3–4 feet of snow could be piled on top of already buried communities, likely straining infrastructure and making travel difficult. Firefighters across the state have been stationed around burn scars each time an atmospheric river menacingly takes aim at the state in order to protect people near vulnerable wildfire areas.
Mudslides are another major concern with the saturated soils making it unstable and the fear that mud and debris can slide down, make roads impassable, damage homes and strand people. It is important for residents to obey evacuation orders as performing rescues in mudslides is no easy task.
California is now facing the onslaught of flooding, downpours, and rough winds as the season’s 12th atmospheric river takes aim.