Severe Holiday Storms Flood Redding, California and Bury the Sierra Nevada in Snow
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A Dangerous Storm Sequence Moves In
A powerful sequence of Pacific storms is sweeping across California, bringing heavy rain, flash flooding, and significant mountain snow during the peak of the holiday travel season. Northern California has been hit first, with impacts spreading quickly from valleys to mountain passes.Roads have flooded. Creeks have spilled over. Emergency crews have been stretched as water moves fast through communities already saturated by earlier rainfall.
Deadly Flash Flooding in Redding
In Redding, CA, flash flooding turned streets into channels of moving water. At least one person died after floodwaters inundated parts of the city, according to Redding Mayor Mike Littau. Police and fire crews carried out multiple water rescues on Sunday as conditions deteriorated.Officials have not released details about the fatality, and the total number of rescues remains unclear.
Shasta County, CA, where Redding is located, was among the hardest-hit areas. Heavy rain flooded numerous roads Sunday evening, including sections of Interstate 5. A flash flood warning remained in effect for Redding and surrounding areas through Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.
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California Weather Alert: Flooding in Redding, Heavy Rain and Sierra Snow During Holiday TravelRoads Submerged, Drivers Stranded
Law enforcement reported widespread disruptions. Redding police said they were responding to “numerous calls for stranded motorists" and urged drivers to stay away from flooded streets.Images shared by the California Highway Patrol showed several lanes of Interstate 5 underwater in one part of Redding. Another photo posted by police showed vehicles attempting to navigate a roadway fully covered by water.
For some residents, the flooding arrived abruptly. Paul Mast, a Shasta County resident, shared video of his son standing in the middle of a road overtaken by water from a nearby creek.
“We were on our way to a family Christmas gathering," Mast said, explaining that they were forced to turn back after floodwaters washed out part of the road.
Flood Warnings Remain in Effect
Shasta County and other parts of Northern California remain under a flood warning until midday Monday. Farther south, much of Central California is under a flood watch through Friday, signaling the potential for continued impacts as additional storms arrive.Forecasters said the heaviest rainfall in Northern California is expected Monday and Tuesday. The National Weather Service predicts up to 5 inches of rain across the Northern Sierra Nevada and up to 3 inches along coastal areas.
The region is under a level 3 out of 4 risk of excessive rainfall through Tuesday morning.
Landslides and Mudslides a Growing Concern
As rain continues to fall on steep terrain, flash flooding may extend into the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The National Weather Service warned that landslides, rockfalls, and mudslides are possible through Tuesday.Soils are saturated. Slopes are unstable. Even brief bursts of heavy rain could trigger sudden movement.
Heavy Snow Returns to the Sierra Nevada
While valleys contend with flooding, the Sierra Nevada Mountains are seeing a very different hazard. Heavy snow is forecast to continue, with an additional 2 to 4 feet expected in higher elevations.The snowfall comes as a sharp contrast to the snow drought currently affecting the Sierra Nevada. Mountain travel has become increasingly difficult, with chain controls and closures likely as snow accumulates.
Power Outages and Widespread Impacts
As of late Sunday, more than 1,000 customers in Sierra County, CA were without electricity. That represents nearly one-third of the county’s power customers, according to PowerOutage. US.Emergency officials warned that outages could expand as storms continue to bring wind, rain, and heavy snow.
More Storms on the Way
The storm sequence shows little sign of easing. By late Tuesday, the flood threat is expected to shift south into central and southern California as another storm system strengthens offshore. At the same time, Northern California faces another surge of heavy precipitation.“This wet weather pattern shows no signs of letting up," the National Weather Service said, warning that another round of heavy rain is possible on Christmas Day and continuing into Friday across much of California.
The storms keep coming. Water keeps rising. And across California, the holiday season is unfolding under a persistent and dangerous weather pattern.
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