California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency across the state on Wednesday to support its ongoing response to recent winter storms.
The state was bracing for a series of strong weather systems in Northern California expected to bring heavy rains and flooding throughout the area starting Wednesday and continuing for the rest of the week.
The California National Guard will be mobilized to help with disaster response efforts under the emergency proclamation, which also directs Caltrans to request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program to support highway repairs. The declaration also enables other assistance for local response and recovery efforts.
In addition, Newsom activated the State Operations Center to its highest level, and state and federal governments established the Flood Operations Center, which covers forecasting and reservoir operations coordination, and provides technical support and flood-fighting materials such as sandbags to local agencies.
Rain, Snow, Strong Winds, Flooding
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicted heavy rain and snow, strong winds, and additional flooding threats “as a strong weather system and atmospheric river moves through the region.”An atmospheric river is a concentrated column of moisture that can cause heavy rains.
The heaviest precipitation is expected in Northern California Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, extending into Thursday night in Southern California. The effects of residual flooding could last into the weekend, with additional storms lingering into next week.
The new round of severe weather systems comes just days after another atmospheric river hit Northern California, causing two levees to fail near Sacramento and flooding throughout the region.
With grounds already saturated, the new waves of heavy rainfall are expected to cause “rapid rises on creeks, streams, and rivers, as well as flooding in urban areas,” according to the NWS. On Wednesday, the NWS predicted rain and thunderstorms along nearly the entire California coast, as well as flood warnings for much of Northern California and the coast.
State Preparation
State officials are repositioning fire and rescue equipment and personnel to better help with any emergency response efforts that may be needed ahead of the weather events.Newsom’s office said the teams would mobilize quickly in the event of mudflows, avalanches, or flash floods.
Officials from the California Health and Human Services Agency are working with local and community partners to make sure vulnerable people with disabilities, older people, and homeless people know about the incoming storm and have access to any services they may need, according to the governor’s office.
Newsom’s office said the state agencies are ready to help the American Red Cross set up congregate shelters, as well as deploy regional staff to support hospitals and health care facilities, and send structural engineers to assess any impacts to infrastructure. “Ambulance Strike Teams” are also ready to be deployed by the Emergency Medical Services Authority, according to the governor’s office.
Bomb Cyclone Expected to Impact Californians
Californians will almost certainly feel the effects of a bomb cyclone throughout Wednesday and Thursday, according to an expert. A bomb cyclone occurs when cold and warm air masses collide, rapidly strengthening the weather system.“Winds will be quite strong even at lower elevations and so given how saturated the soils are this is likely to produce pretty widespread minor to moderate flooding.”
According to Swain, the eye of the bomb cyclone is unlikely to make landfall over California, but the storm system will still contribute to heavy flooding and rain.
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