Landslides block roads in Los Angeles area as California faces dangerous flood threat during atmospheric river
Landslides, water rescues and flash flooding were all reported throughout the Golden State on Monday. California faces a continued threat of heavy rain on Tuesday, which will only exacerbate flooding concerns for the already-waterlogged state.
The gloomy stretch of extreme weather in California continues into Tuesday as an ongoing multiday atmospheric river storm slams the Golden State with flooding rain, damaging wind gusts and landslides in the Los Angeles area, leaving millions of people across the region on alert.
Impacts from this latest round of potentially dangerous weather began on Sunday when torrential rain and strong winds lashed communities from Northern California to Southern California, with numerous reports of flooded roads, downed trees and water rescues.
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California atmospheric river triggers water rescue
Crews had to rescue a driver and passenger trapped in their car in a boat. Flood waters from the last of a series of atmospheric river storms overwhelmed the car in Sacramento County.
And, unfortunately, this isn’t a fast-moving storm by any means. This atmospheric river is expected to linger out over the Pacific Ocean and will continue to funnel rounds of precipitation in the form of heavy rain and mountain snow up and down the state through Wednesday.
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Another round of flooding rain soaks California on Tuesday
(FOX Weather)
This latest storm got underway as the weekend started to wind down, and the FOX Forecast Center said this atmospheric river will be more impactful than previous ones that have recently affected the state.
As of Tuesday morning, both Northern and Southern California were being soaked by separate areas of heavy rain, while much of Central California was seeing a lull in the steady precipitation.
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More than 15 million people in the Los Angeles area have been placed in a Level 3 out of 4 risk of flooding on Tuesday by NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center, while an additional 35-plus million across the state are under a Level 2 out of 4 risk.
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(FOX Weather)
According to the National Weather Service, a landslide was reported Monday in the Los Angeles area east of Point Mugu in Ventura County.
Flooding was also been a problem Monday in Santa Barbara, where officials announced the closure of Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) because of flooding on the runway.
Flooding in Santa Barbara County on Feb. 19, 2024. (Image: Santa Barbara Public Works)
"Commercial flights have been canceled, general aviation operations are paused, and the terminal is closed," the airport said on X, formerly Twitter.
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Santa Barbara County Public Works officials said flooding led to multiple road closures on Monday in Montecito and Santa Maria.
(FOX Weather)
The flood threat on Wednesday will be lower than what is being seen on Tuesday, with communities from Los Angeles to San Diego placed in a Level 1 out of 4 risk of flooding.
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Landslides, flash flooding reported during storm
Watch: River rages in Montecito as atmospheric river dumps heavy rain on California
Video shared by the Montecito Fire Department in California shows a raging river as another atmospheric river storm slams the Golden State with flooding rain and damaging wind.
Impacts from this atmospheric river storm hitting California started being reported on Sunday night as the first effects began.
Flooded roads were reported in the Sacramento and San Jose areas, according to reports from the NWS.
The NWS also reported a landslide in the Larkfield-Wikiup area north of Santa Rosa on Sunday night that blocked Mark West Springs Road.
The strong winds also brought down numerous trees in the Santa Cruz area.
Watch: Roads flooded in Montecito after atmospheric river dumps heavy rain in California
Roads in Montecito have been flooded after an atmospheric river dumped heavy rain on California on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.
Massive boulders about half the size of cars were reported across Gibraltar Road in the Montecito area, as well as boulders across Ladera Drive in the Summerland area.
On Monday, multiple highways and roads were closed in Los Angeles and Venture Counties due to flooding, requiring drainage repairs, according to Caltrans.
The Pacific Coast Highway remains closed from Sycamore Canyon Road to Las Posas Road in Ventura County due to erosion on the southbound shoulder.
Trees have been reported across roads in the Woodland Hills area in Southern California.
Watch: Massive waves crash onshore in Pacifica, California
FOX weather Correspondent Robert Ray shared video of large waves crashing onshore in Pacifica, California, during an atmospheric river storm on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray was in Pacifica, California, on Monday and shared video of massive waves that have been crashing onshore.
Winds there have been whipping upwards of 50 mph.
Watch: Reporter a little too close to the California surf
Just before a live report, FOX Weather's Robert Ray got a little too close to the crashing waves on the Pacifica Pier. Watch him jump out of the way as the wave comes over him.
Winds will be whipping in California
(FOX Weather)
Damaging wind gusts are also possible as the atmospheric river storm slams into California early this week.
"(The winds) are going to be pretty gusty and strong," FOX weather Meteorologist Craig Herrera said. "That could bring trees down."
Power outages are also possible due to the possibility that trees could be brought down due to the higher wind gusts.
"Be ready for some of these old trees, old oak trees and eucalyptus trees," Herrera continued. "Those eucalyptus trees don’t have a good root system, so those could come down pretty quickly."
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIGH WIND WARNINGS
(FOX Weather)
Millions of people in California are now under wind alerts through Tuesday.
A High Wind Warning is in effect for Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Trinity counties due to expected sustained winds of 25-35 mph, with some gusts up to 65 mph possible.
Wind Advisories remain in effect for much of Northern and Central California, including Sacramento, San Francisco and Monterey.
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Sierra Nevada to be slammed with snow
(FOX Weather)
Snow is expected in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountain range – and a lot of it.
"I mean, we’re talking about 1 to as much as maybe 3 feet of snow, especially in the higher elevations," FOX Weather Meteorologist Kendall Smith said.
The snow could lead to some treacherous travel at times, and travel itself could be nearly impossible on untreated roads and highways in the area.
The snow totals will increase the higher you go in elevation.
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