California Storm Brings Record Rainfall, Evacuations, and Closures; 3 Killed

The latest destructive storm continued after three deaths, record rainfall, and power outages for nearly half a million residents.

Signage in a road construction area on the 101 freeway warns of flooding as the second and more powerful of two atmospheric river storms, arrives south of Santa Barbara, California, on February 4, 2024. The US West Coast was getting drenched on February 1 as the first of two powerful storms moved in, part of a "Pineapple Express" weather pattern that was washing out roads and sparking flood warnings. The National Weather Service said "the largest storm of the season" would likely begin on February 4. (Photo by DAVID MCNEW / AFP) Photo by DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images

Wet weather continued across California on Feb. 5 as the latest destructive storm delivered record rainfall, caused at least three deaths, and left nearly half a million residents without power.

A 45-year-old man died in Santa Cruz County on Feb. 4 after a tree fell onto a home along Highway 9 in Boulder Creek, according to the local sheriff’s office. While one person was able to escape, Robert Brainard III, of Boulder Creek, was trapped inside and was pronounced dead at the scene, the department confirmed to The Epoch Times.