Pacific Storm Floods California Roads, First of a One-Two Punch – By Reuters

By Steve Gorman and Jorge Garcia

LOS ANGELES – The first of two atmospheric river storms drenched Southern California on Thursday, resulting in localized flooding and road closures during rush hour, setting the stage for an even more intense weather event expected over the weekend.

Long Beach, located just south of Los Angeles, experienced significant flooding, with rainwater inundating a section of freeway and nearby streets beneath a railroad bridge, leaving several cars completely submerged.

One motorist, 54-year-old Franklin Capitulo, a hotel employee, had to be rescued after his vehicle stalled in the floodwaters. He described how he unexpectedly encountered deep water, which caused him to panic. Capitulo called his brother for assistance but was ultimately rescued through a window by firefighters.

Flooding, along with mudslides and rockslides, led to numerous road closures throughout the region, including a crucial tunnel that connects a major highway to a freeway in Santa Monica, as well as a significant on-ramp in the San Fernando Valley. The California Highway Patrol noted at least 50 vehicle spinouts and accidents in central Los Angeles on Thursday morning. Firefighters also assisted a man trapped in a flood-control channel in Orange County.

A flash-flood warning was issued for Los Angeles County, while flood advisories were extended to San Diego and Orange counties. However, the storm passed through quickly, which lessened the potential for widespread flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm began in Oregon and Northern California on Wednesday, making its way south and delivering heavy rains and strong winds to the San Francisco Bay area. Higher elevations in California’s Sierra Nevada saw substantial snow.

LOOKING AHEAD TO HEAVIER RAINS

A second and more powerful storm is forecast to arrive in California late Saturday and into Sunday, expected to bring damaging winds back to northern areas and heavier rainfall to the south, along with increased snowfall in the mountains.

The weather service indicated that this system could lead to 24 to 36 hours of continuous rain. Initial forecasts predict widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with some foothill and lower mountain areas receiving double that amount.

Both storms are driven by vast airborne currents of moisture known as atmospheric rivers. They also align with the “Pineapple Express” pattern, which pulls in warm, subtropical moisture from the Hawaiian Islands.

Last winter, California faced a series of roughly a dozen atmospheric river storms in rapid succession, leading to mass evacuations, power outages, breaches of levees, and significant road closures in a state previously grappling with drought and wildfires. While at least 20 fatalities were reported during those storms, they played a crucial role in alleviating California’s extended drought.

The current storms are also anticipated to enhance the state’s water supply by boosting mountain snowpacks, which are currently below average for this time of year. Snow in the Sierra Nevada typically provides nearly a third of California’s freshwater resources.

However, these storms are warmer than those experienced last year, which is likely a result of the ongoing El Niño pattern. This could mean that California will see less snow and more rain this winter.

Since 1980, the U.S. West Coast has witnessed an average of 10 to 11 atmospheric river storms per year, and scientists predict these events may become more frequent and severe in the next century due to human-induced climate change. Additionally, climate change is expected to exacerbate the warming effects of Pacific storms, further reducing snowfall amounts in even the wetter winters.