The state is plagued by severe storms and flooding

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A powerful storm system is currently affecting parts of Southern California. Heavy rainfall has resulted in flash flooding and landslides, which have claimed the first lives. Wind gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour have caused power outages.

Meteorologists have predicted that a storm system hitting California will bring enormous rainfall to the region. The areas most affected are those burned by wildfires in January last year.

San Bernardino County firefighters said several people were rescued from cars trapped on the road to Wrightwood, where mud and debris from the nearby San Gabriel Mountains were flowing onto the road.

Firefighters also inspected all homes in the hardest-hit areas and evacuation orders were issued, particularly in the Lytle Creek area, where a single bridge collapsed and several residents moved to community centers.

The storm also trapped several residents of Wrightwood, where a fire last year deforested much of the area. Flood warnings are in place for coastal areas including Malibu and the Sacramento Valley. Wind and flood warnings have been issued for the San Francisco Bay Area.

The flooding has forced the closure of several roads, including Interstate 5. The storms have brought several atmospheric rivers to California, which bring huge clouds of moisture from the tropics. Normally, California gets about 20 millimeters of precipitation at this time of year, but this year it will be 100 to 200. At higher altitudes, this precipitation is snowfall. There was heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains and there is a risk of avalanches around Lake Tahoe.

Source: CBC, Editorial Weathersunshine.com