Wednesday, February 7, 2024
California has been grappling with the devastating effects of a deadly and extreme atmospheric river that has unleashed chaos across the state from Saturday through Tuesday. The unprecedented storm has led to record rainfall, causing more than 300 mudslides or debris flows, and bringing hurricane-force winds that have uprooted trees, knocking out power to nearly a million residents, and creating a travel nightmare. The storm’s ferocity has resulted in at least three fatalities due to falling trees, highlighting the lethal nature of this natural disaster.
The California travel industry faces significant disruptions following over 300 mudslides triggered by a deadly storm. The natural disaster has caused widespread damage, affecting roads and infrastructure, and challenging the state’s tourism sector as it works to recover and ensure safety for travelers and residents alike.
In response to the escalating crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for eight counties, including major urban centers like Los Angeles and San Diego. The declaration underscores the severity of the situation and the urgent need for aid and resources to cope with the aftermath of the storm.
The economic fallout from this calamity is staggering, with preliminary estimates by AccuWeather projecting the total damage and economic loss to be between $9 billion and $11 billion. This figure is particularly alarming as the storm continues to wreak havoc on the most densely populated regions of the state, affecting homes and businesses, including in some of California’s most affluent neighborhoods. The magnitude of these losses highlights the storm’s widespread impact, transcending social and economic boundaries.
Record-breaking rainfall was reported in downtown Los Angeles, where 7.03 inches of rain fell on Sunday and Monday alone, nearly half of the city’s average annual rainfall. This event marked the highest two-day rainfall ever recorded in February and the third-wettest two-day period in the city’s history, dating back nearly 150 years. Elsewhere, regions northwest of downtown reported more than a foot of rain, exacerbating the risk of further mudslides and flooding.
The storm’s wrath was not confined to rainfall alone. The mountains witnessed hurricane-force winds, with a peak gust of 162 mph recorded at the 10,820-foot elevation of Ward Mountain, a reminder of the state’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. These winds contributed to the snowfall in the Sierra Nevada, where 3-6 feet of snow threatened road closures, avalanches, and blizzard conditions, adding layers of complexity to the disaster response efforts.
At lower elevations, the strong winds caused widespread damage, felling trees and disrupting power to nearly 900,000 customers at the peak of the storm. Even major airports like San Francisco reported gusts up to 67 mph, and Sacramento saw winds topping out at 59 mph, illustrating the storm’s expansive reach.
As of late Tuesday night, the storm continued to batter parts of the state from San Diego to Bakersfield, with persistent rain showers expected through midweek due to a moist, onshore flow. The forecast indicates an additional disturbance arriving Wednesday night, potentially aggravating existing flooding conditions. However, there’s a glimmer of hope as dry weather is anticipated by Friday, offering a brief respite as high pressure builds offshore.
This atmospheric river event underscores the challenges California faces in terms of weather extremes and the need for preparedness and resilience against natural disasters. As the storm pivots into the southwestern United States, the potential for flash flooding and heavy mountain snow looms, signaling that the impact of this weather phenomenon extends beyond California’s borders, affecting the broader region.
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