Another wave of heavy rain over several days has caused localized flooding in northern California. Many roads are flooded and some roads can only be accessed by boat. According to some residents, the flood water reached their houses so quickly that they did not have time to evacuate.
On Friday, the so-called atmospheric river reached the northern parts of California and dumped a lot of rain. This term is a long band of moisture that forms in the atmosphere over warm ocean waters and can cause rain and snow as it moves over land.
Many roads and buildings were flooded in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco. The water level was more than one meter in some places. Some roads are still impassable.
Earlier, about 150 residents near the Russian River, who were under the threat of flooding, were also evacuated as a precaution due to heavy snowfall in the mountainous areas.
“Water appeared too soon”
Those who did not escape from the high water helped others. – Some asked for help on social networks with the desire to go there or to the store. I thought I had the whole day and the boat so I could help out, said Ben Conte of Forestville. – It came really fast. According to him, all low-lying areas have been greatly affected by floods.
“I was packing up and watching the water get closer,” said Shannon DeFoor of Forestville, Sonoma County. As she said, this is not the first sudden flood in her life, but “this time the water appeared exceptionally fast”.
Underwater vehicle on road in Sonoma CountyPAP/EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
Flooding in Guerneville Township, Sonoma CountyPAP/EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
“It was a record three-day rainfall,” said Matt Windrem of the local fire department. He added that he does not remember such a flood in this area.
Landslide risk
Meteorologists warn of the risk of landslides in the areas most affected by the rain. In some places, the previous rains occurred only a few days ago.
Earlier this week, the storm hit the northwestern United States. This is a rapidly developing low-pressure system, in which the pressure can drop by at least 24 hectopascals per day. These types of phenomena bring heavy rain with strong winds. In California, as well as in the states of Washington and Oregon, there was a lot of damage. Two people died.
Flooding in Guerneville Township, Sonoma CountyPAP/EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
Reuters, CBS News, tvnmeteo.pl
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
