On Sunday, the National Weather Service reported that more than 235,000 homes, businesses and other power customers in California and Nevada had been left in the dark due to the severe weather.High winds caused numerous power outages, while heavy rainfall and snowfall caused flooding, water rescues, and disabled vehicles due to drivers pushing through standing water.
In Sacramento County, wind gusts of up to 55 mph toppled trees and covered roads with debris, while Wilton residents were ordered to leave the area immediately at one point Saturday due to rising water levels.The city of Oakland had its wettest day on record Saturday, with 4.75 inches of rain in a 24-hour period, and the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reported 7.5 inches of snowfall per hour in Soda Springs.
In addition, US Highway 101 and Interstate 80 were partially closed due to multiple spinouts, and the California Highway Patrol reported that water was not receding due to non-stop rainfall and high tides.The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District reported that at least one person was in critical condition after exiting a vehicle and being washed off the roadway and trapped in the cold water.
The severe weather is a relief for drought-stricken California, which started 2022 with the driest beginning of the year on record and ended the year with drenched roadways and thick mountain snow.More than 4 feet of snow had accumulated in the high Sierra Nevada, while downtown San Francisco got 5.46 inches Saturday, making it the second wettest day on record for the area.
Residents are advised to avoid travel due to the hazardous conditions, and to SLOW DOWN on the roads to keep them open.
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