California Braces for Record Floods as Storm Hits

Los Angeles at Risk of Historic Rainfall

A large tree branch fell, knocking out power and damaging vehicles during a storm on February 19, 2024.

Rainfall Soaks California, Prompts Flood Alerts

Nearly the entire population of California is under flood alerts Tuesday as the latest round of rainfall soaks the state, prompting road closures, evacuation warnings, and some water rescues. In Los Angeles, which faces significant flood threats, part of the city is close to seeing its wettest February ever recorded.

Key Flood Updates:

• Over 35 million people under flood alerts: Rain continues to drench much of California on Tuesday, with the heaviest downpours focused on Los Angeles and coastal Southern California. Flood watches in place across parts of Northern California will expire Tuesday morning, but the bulk of the state’s flood alerts last through Wednesday.
• Los Angeles eyes record rainfall: After historic rainfall inundated the city earlier this month, downtown Los Angeles could see its wettest February on record if it picks up 3 inches of rain this week. An additional 1.5 to 3 inches are expected to fall across Los Angeles County, posing a risk of “significant flooding,” the National Weather Service said. Emergency crews are poised to respond in case of power outages, mud and debris flows, and blocked roadways, the city said Monday night.
• Flooding shuts down airport and roads: Significant flooding on the tarmac of the Santa Barbara Airport forced it to close until the water can recede, the airport said Monday evening. Several roads across the state are also shut down due to flooding and weather-related conditions, according to the state transportation department.
• Evacuation warnings issued: Evacuation warnings are in place for parts of Santa Barbara County, where some high-elevation areas have seen as much as 9 inches of rain in 24 hours. Local officials warned that homes could become isolated if roads become blocked by flooding or debris and urged people to evacuate if they are concerned their area is becoming unsafe. An evacuation warning was also issued for a portion of southwestern Los Angeles County over mud and debris flow fears, according to the sheriff’s office.

Other Weather-Related Updates:

• Strong winds threaten power outages: Swathes of Californians could be without power as gusty winds threaten to down trees and power lines. More than 10 million people are under wind alerts Tuesday, when widespread gusts of up to 50 mph are expected, with some reaching as high as 65 mph.
• Heavy snow building in Sierra Nevada: Winter weather alerts span the Sierra Nevada as snow blankets the region. Up to 5 feet of snow could accumulate in some areas by Wednesday night, though widespread amounts of 1-2 feet are expected across high-elevation areas.

Flooding Impacts and Precautions:

As rain continues to pelt a vast portion of California Tuesday, saturated grounds and swelling waterways are struggling to take in the influx of water, causing runoff to gush over local roads, soften soil for mudslides, and cause widespread concern of flooding.

The downpours will become more isolated on Tuesday as the atmospheric river fueling the storms weakens, but some areas still face considerable flood threats, including Los Angeles, which faces a Level 3 of 4 flood risk on Tuesday. Officials urge caution, as large mud and rock slides are possible along canyon roads and debris flows in areas recently burned by wildfires.

Be cautious of large mud and rock slides along canyon roads as well as debris flows in areas recently burned by wildfires. Never drive into floodwaters. Evacuation warnings are in place for at-risk areas, and emergency crews are prepared for power outages, mud and debris flows, and blocked roadways.

Forecast and Recovery:

Rainfall is expected to gradually diminish on Wednesday as the main storm moves eastward, eventually crossing into the Rockies. The current storm, although fueling record flooding and considered significant, has tapped into much less moisture than the early-month storm.

The Bay Area is also under a flood watch until Wednesday morning, and officials in San Francisco are providing some residents and businesses with 10 free sandbags. Never drive into floodwaters and remain cautious of possible riverlike floodwaters and submerged roads in affected areas.

Stay updated on the storm and flooding situation as local authorities work to ensure the safety of affected regions. Follow recommended evacuation protocols and take necessary precautions during the recovery period. For more information, visit reputable weather forecast services and government agencies.

CNN’s Robert Shackelford, Steve Almasy, Mary Gilbert and Cheri Mossburg contributed to this report.