9-Jan.2023

EDITED BY|CHRISTIAN MEGAN

WASHINGTON 

U.S. President  declared an emergency existed in the state of California,

90% of Californians are under flood watches as another storm threatens mudslides, power outages, and deadly inundation

said the White House on Monday.

More than 34 million Californians are under a flood watch Monday – about 90% of the state’s population and 10% of the US population.

Parts of the central California coast got walloped with 1 to 1.25 inches of rainfall per hour, the Weather Prediction Center said. Monday’s rapid deluge also led to reports of mudslides and rockfalls in the Diablo Range.

And hurricane-force wind gusts topping 74 mph thrashed states across the western US. More than 37 million people are under wind alerts Monday in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona and Wyoming.

A 132-mph wind gust lashed Oroville, California. Residents in Washoe City, Nevada, were hit with a 98-mph gust, the Weather Prediction Center said.

“Expect widespread power outages, downed trees, and difficult driving conditions,” the National Weather Service in Sacramento tweeted. “Now is the time to prepare if you have not already!”

Already, more than 138,000 homes, businesses and other power customers had no electricity Monday, according to PowerOutage.us.

And the central California coast could be at risk of a tornado, CNN Meteorologist Dave Hennen said.

The severe weather is part of a relentless parade of atmospheric rivers slamming the West Coast.

California is now extremely vulnerable to flooding because much of the state has been scarred by historic drought or devastating wildfires – meaning the land can’t soak up much rainfall.

And after an onslaught of storms since late December led to deadly flooding, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned Sunday:

“We expect to see the worst of it still in front of us.”

Floods kill more than any other natural disaster At least 12 Californians have died from “storm-related impacts” such as flooding since late December, the governor’s office said

“Floods kill more individuals than any other natural disaster,” California Emergency Services Director Nancy Ward said Sunday. “We’ve already had more deaths in this flood storm since December 31 than we had in the last two fire seasons of the highest fire acreage burned in California.”

Flood-related deaths can happen when drivers attempt to cross standing water.

“Just a foot of water and your car’s floating. Half a foot of water, you’re off your feet. Half foot of water, you’re losing control of your vehicle,” Newsom said.