HAPPENING NOW: California Cleaning Up After Historic Rainfall
Widespread, heavy rainfall has ended across California Thursday night. Still, monitor local rivers as they will continue to flow in a swollen fashion. River flooding and residual flooding will continue into early Friday morning. The big story is now transitioning to heavy mountain snowfall for the Sierra Nevada ridge. Both directions of Interstate 80 were closed near Truckee and Donner Pass Thursday due to snow. Here’s what has happened so far:
FLOODING covers roads in southern California. Mandatory evacuations for Trabuco Canyon as flood waters threaten the area. We're live on WeatherNation with coverage
Posted by WeatherNation on Thursday, February 14, 2019
An atmospheric river pumped moisture into southern California. Flash flooding will remain a threat for the southwest into Friday.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Department continues to monitor another dangerous situation. After saving a woman who was trapped by a mudslide in her home in Sausalito Thursday morning, they faced a possible levee breach on Novato Creek.
Water continues to rise in many parts of California due to heavy rain. @MarinSheriff tweeted this video as they face possible levee breach near Highway 37 and Novato Creek #CAwx pic.twitter.com/yJYTExsGOt
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) February 14, 2019
The Holy Fire burn scar experienced significant mudslides and debris flows in the Lake Elsinore area. Local officials are reporting structure collapses with houses still in danger. Mandatory evacuations for those at greatest risk were issued Wednesday and reinforced on February 14.
Debris Flow Near Holy Fire Burn Scar
DEBRIS FLOW IN LAKE ELSINORE – Video just in of a debris flow down Alvarado Street in the Holy Fire burn scar area in Lake Elsinore, CA. The threat continues this morning for parts of Southern California.
Posted by WeatherNation on Thursday, February 14, 2019
#HolyFloodWatch Update: Current Evacuation Orders and Warnings. As of Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. these are the current zones in…
Posted by Lake Elsinore – City Hall on Thursday, February 14, 2019
Rainfall totals upwards of 6-12″ have taken a toll on local waterways. The swollen Santa Ana River was the site of a water rescue after two people were taken by helicopter to safety. Flooding is also anticipated on the San Diego, San Luis Rey, Mojave and Santa Margarita Rivers.
LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING underway in Southern California. Watch as @SBCSDAviation rescues two people from the Santa Ana River. Details here: https://t.co/n3HURDBHEZ #CAWX pic.twitter.com/cW9YIy6hqL
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) February 14, 2019
River forecast floods for San Diego, San Luis Rey, Mojave and Santa Margarita Rivers #AtmosphericRiver #caflood #cawx pic.twitter.com/S6GxMAib7c
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) February 14, 2019
The forecast is for water to recede Friday morning. Flood watches continue through about midnight for most locations. The flood alerts continue in Arizona into Friday.
The story will now transition to heavy mountain snowfall for much of the West through the weekend.
For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Karissa Klos