As Rain Pummels California, Some See a Way to Fight Drought

Much of the torrential rain that fell on Southern California this week flowed right into the ocean, just like it did before the state’s epic drought.

Cars drive on Woodman Avenue in Panorama City, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, along a culvert where rainwater runoff is directed to a leach field on the side of the street. AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker

SAN DIEGO — Much of the torrential rain that fell on Southern California this week flowed right into the ocean, just like it did before the state’s epic drought.

That seemed like a good idea for many years, as storm drains provided a crucial defense against flooding. But with California entering what may be a fifth year of drought, water agencies slowly are moving to capture and store more of this precious resource.

A 1,300 gallon cistern in the backyard of a home in North Hollywood, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, stores rainwater captured from the roof runoff during rain. AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker