Millions Under Flood Watch During California Atmospheric River Storm
Severe storms are set to pound California once again as an atmospheric river storm is forecast to settle over the state on Sunday, stretching into the week.
INSANE RAIN
The National Weather Service warned that conditions would be “drastically different” from Sunday morning to Sunday night, with the arrival of a strong storm expected to last through President’s Day.
Rain will begin around mid-day and will be heavy through the night. Moderate to major impacts from this storm will last into Monday with heavy rain, strong winds, high surf, thunderstorms, and flooding potential.
The Department of Energy defines atmospheric rivers as “the large, narrow sections of the Earth’s atmosphere that carry moisture from the Earth’s tropics near the equator to the poles.” The imminent storm is the latest in an El Niño winter, which sees unusually high precipitation in a state infamously dogged by drought and other natural disasters.
California's Vulnerability
California, which is home to more than a tenth of the nation’s population, is also subject to landslides and extreme flooding as a result of heavy storms.
Last month, monster waves overcame piers and created rivers in downtown streets after the storms struck.
Potential Impacts
The forecasted atmospheric river storm poses significant risks to California's residents. With heavy rain and strong winds, there is a high probability of flooding and thunderstorms throughout the affected areas.
The storm's severity, coupled with the already saturated ground from previous rainfall, increases the likelihood of landslides and extreme flooding. The state's infrastructure, including piers and streets, has previously experienced significant damage from similar storms.
