Following Sunday's flooding, more than 11 million people in California are at high risk of life-threatening flooding
Southern California experienced heavy rain and flash flooding due to a powerful atmospheric river, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency in eight counties, including Los Angeles and Orange County.
Los Angeles and San Bernardino County also declared their own states of emergency. cnn reported.
“Los Angeles County is taking steps to protect our communities during the storm and recover from any impacts that may result,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Lindsey P. Horvath.
Following Sunday's flooding, more than 11 million people in California are at high risk of life-threatening flooding, and parts of the Los Angeles area are forecast to receive nearly half a year's worth of rain by Tuesday.
More than 900,000 California customers experienced power outages due to heavy rain and strong winds from an intense atmospheric river, as officials warned of one of the “most dramatic weather days in recent memory.”
Atmospheric rivers are powerful columns of moisture that act like fire hoses, harnessing the warm, humid air of the tropics and releasing heavy rain and snow onto the land.
These storms are common on the West Coast during winter, but weaker rivers provide essential rain and snow during the wettest months of the year.
This rain and snow is crucial to the western water supply and fills reservoirs during hot summers.
However, excessive rainfall from storms can increase flooding risks, especially when a series of storms occur in sequence with little time for drying between them.
Last week's atmospheric river broke multiple rainfall records in California and prompted road closures and water rescues.
Atmospheric rivers can also impact the eastern US and occur frequently in parts of Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
