A new storm puts more than 17 million people in California and part of Nevada at risk from dangerous flooding and torrential rains. This phenomenon comes a few days after a winter cyclone set up a high alert in more than half of the country.
The National Weather Prediction Center indicated that due to "the combination of heavy precipitation and rapid snowmelt below 1,500 meters" flooding affecting millions of people is likely:
An atmospheric river will bring anomalous moisture to California this Thursday and Friday. The combination of heavy precipitation and rapid snowmelt below 1,500 meters will cause flooding.
🌧️ An atmospheric river will bring heavy precip & flooding to the West Coast Thu & Fri. There is a Moderate Risk of Excessive Rainfall in effect for parts of California where numerous floods will be possible. Flood Watches are in effect for much of California and part of Nevada. pic.twitter.com/j9a185WJpx
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) March 8, 2023
The storm will bring heavy thundershowers to the San Francisco Bay Area and the Santa Cruz Mountains area. Strong winds in central and northern California, northern Nevada and southwestern Idaho. And heavy snow in parts of the Sierra Nevada, southern Oregon and the Rocky Mountains in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. The areas most vulnerable to flooding caused by rain and snowmelt will be the rivers near the Sierra Nevada.
Newsom calls for a Presidential Declaration of Emergency
Governor Gavin Newsom released a statement requesting President Joe Biden to issue a Presidential Emergency Declaration authorizing Direct Federal Assistance to communities dealing with the aftermath of the recent snowstorm.
If the emergency declaration is approved, the funds will be used to "meet critical emergency protection requirements in the form of generators, road clearing equipment and supplies, and shelter and possible mass care assistance," the statement said.
Newsom has already declared a state of emergency in 21 California counties to support disaster relief teams:
California is deploying every tool we have to protect communities from the relentless and deadly storms that are battering our state (...) In these dangerous and challenging conditions, it is crucial that Californians remain vigilant and follow all instructions from local emergency services.
Weather warnings extended to more than 9 states
As the powerful "atmospheric river" moves up the California coast, heavy snowfall is spreading to other parts of the country. Nine states are currently under some type of winter weather warning. Snow accumulations of half a meter to 1 meter are expected in the following states:
- Minnesota: up to 5 centimeters of snow.
- Illinois: up to 5 centimeters of snow.
- Wisconsin: Snowfall up to 12 centimeters.
- Michigan: wet snow between 7 to 15 centimeters
- Ohio: snowfall between 7 and 15 centimeters.
At least 12 dead in San Bernardino
The storm has hit the San Bernardino Sierra area particularly hard, so hard that it is considered the worst weather phenomenon recorded in decades. The county sheriff's office said at least 12 people have died since the storms began. In just a few days, more than 100 inches of snow fell in the local mountainous areas, cutting off roads and utilities. On February 28, the authorities declared a state of local emergency.
The deaths are not entirely linked to the snowfall. However, according to testimony provided by the Los Angeles Times, many of the deceased were reportedly locked out of their homes by the storm. With their homes buried by snow, the lack of resources and medicine would have ended their lives.
